Mothers And Daughters...

I am the mom of an almost 2-year-old daughter.  Have I mentioned that before? :)

This little girl loves to...
say hi to perfect strangers
give "moochies" to her favorite people
be talked to and loved on
wear beautiful dresses (which could be pants, shirts, sweaters, or actual dresses)
splash in the water
eat...especially chocolate
help with dishes and laundry and cooking
visit with friends
make conversation
dance

And I have the potential to squash it all.  To create insecurities in her that quench all of these desires.  One of these could be a gift that leads her to know God's calling in her life in a deeper way.

In So Long Insecurity another mom makes a comment when she finds out she is going to have a daughter of her own: "A girl.  A girl.  Oh, man.  I'm going to have to deal with some of my stuff."

When I knew we were having a girl one of the first things that occurred to me was to ask my husband to call me on looking at myself in the mirror or standing in front of my closet complaining about my weight or any other physical aspect of myself.  I don't want her to grow up with a mom constantly talking about her weight or her dieting plans or her flabby arms or her too-big thighs or too small behind (though I've never found myself complaining about that one).  I want her to grow up healthy and to think less about how she looks according to this world and more about the condition of her heart.

I don't want her to do an art project that receives praise from many people but criticism from few, and cling to the few.

I don't want her to celebrate every milestone in life by going out to eat and nursing every wound by doing the same.  I don't want her emotions to be tied to food.

I don't want to criticize her every time she tries to help me with something so that she learns to despise keeping a home.

And I don't want her looking for love or acceptance in dark traps because the light wasn't on here with us.

"We must ask Him to bring forth the women in us that we didn't even know we were-women of substance and confidence..."
(Beth Moore)

This is what I want.  To be this example for my daughter.  Not of perfection because I want her to learn honesty.  But when I do struggle I want her to know there is only One who can truly meet my needs, and hers.  To know that our confidence, our hope, our help, our security, our significance comes from Christ alone. Because we are both the daughters of the King.

I am so grateful for a husband who gives our child a loving vision of a father.  That his actions inside and outside our home would lead her toward Jesus.   But he isn't perfect either.  And she'll know that one day.  And I pray she will turn to the One who is.

I simply want  her to love God and to delight in His Word.  If she does the truth will be hidden in her always and when lies are fired at her she will be able to shield herself in the battle and retreat to safety when she needs rest.

Lord, make me a woman of substance and confidence, strength and dignity.  A woman who sets a good example for her daughter and any other young ladies that I might influence.  And please, may this sweet little girl you have placed in our home find her identity in You.