Sunday, August 4, 2013

dear daughter

Dear Daughter,

When God gave me you, little did I know what I was in for. The immense, passionate love that a mother has for her newborn overwhelmed me.  It blossomed into the unconditional love that I have for you now. 

Ultimately, you are His child, a gift to me. God trusted me enough to raise you and be your Mom. When I survive the strong-willed moments (well, more like hours), I have to remind myself that God, with the help of His strength, thought I could handle the job. Most days I don't feel equipped, but in those days I hope that He can somehow be glorified through my weakness. In other words, if you look back someday and think, "Wow! My Mom did a great job if raising me!" just know that it is only because of God's grace that we have both survived! 

And, Dear One, know this: no matter what you throw at me, no matter how big the challenges, even when I feel like I don't know what to do, I will never give up on you. Because someday, you will be amazing. You will take the gift of being strong-willed and you will use it to accomplish great things. 

With all of my mommy heart,
KC

(And this is where God does that thing He often does to me: He turns it back on me!  I wrote this as though speaking to my own 7 year old, but as I read through it again, there are parts where God is writing the letter to me, His stubborn and willful child.) 

I'm sure this is the first of many letters to my girl. Someday maybe she will read them, but until then they will serve as reminders to this Mom of what I can do with the help of God and that I will survive this whole parenting thing...somehow, with many wrinkles and premature grey hair, I'm sure!