Being Little

  Four year old eyes.  They see things from a little girl's perspective. "I want to be big mom!"   "When I grow up, I wanna be a mama, like you."  My heart melts.  Oh, little girl.  How much can I love you?  She cuddles into my chest as she gets sleepy.  My baby, my youngest.  She may be four years, but she's my baby...and always will be.  I cherish this time. 
  Six year old eyes.  "When I grow up, I want to be like dad."  These little boy eyes see life as something to be conquered.  "I can do it, mom."  How familiar has that phrase become?  I remember the first time my eyes saw his sweet face.  Yesterday....really.  Six years of yesterdays.  Wow, how the time has gone.   He's in such a hurry to become a man.  I am so proud of him.
  Eight year old eyes.  My sweet, and precious eyes of compassion.   My young girl eager to embrace womanhood and watching it from a distance not so far.  Her heart, sensitive to the injustice of this world, reaches out and touches those in need.  She is and will always be a friend to everyone.   My ray of sunshine.   God knew how much we needed her.
  My children sleep now.  I stand in awe watching them dream; cozy in their beds.  Innocence.   Amazing beyond description, the fact God chose me to be their mama.  I wouldn't trade this for the world.
  I ready myself for bed.  Not everyday is easy.  We have our share of "those days".  But....it makes it all worth it when I remember what I've been given.  How precious those chubby fingers are...and how quickly eighteen years go by.
 

You have a Purpose

For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.      
          Psalm 139: 13&14

I [Your Father in Heaven] have plans for you..........  I have plans for YOU.........   I have plans for YOU...........

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
         Psalm 139: 16

  You were created on purpose.  You were created with a purpose.  YOU WERE CREATED- YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT.  THERE IS NOTHING ACCIDENTAL ABOUT YOUR LIFE. 

   My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depth of the earth your eyes saw my unformed body. 
        Psalm 139: 15

   My Daughter,

  You are beautiful!  Created by my hand....I have plans for your life....
Don't be afraid to step out.  Take that step of faith.  Grab My hand and let everything else go.  Let Me have it.  Drop your struggles, your fears, your insecurities and failure at My feet.  YOU need Me...you can't do this without Me.... I love you.....I LOVE YOU!  I already know you: your failures, they're not a surprise to Me.   I've already forgiven them when Jesus hung on the cross.
  I created you, love you...why can't you trust Me with your life?  Step out....let go.  Let go...and let Me.  It's because of Me you can walk....why not trust Me with your steps.  I want nothing more. 
  In Me only, will you become what you were created to be.  You will never find yourself outside Me.  Place your hand in Mine.  Let go of everything else and don't look back.  Trust Me.  Take that step of faith, give Me your hand and trust Me.  Become that girl you were created to be.
   Let Me have control of your life: ALL of it.  Every little bit of it.  Then let Me work a wonder that only I can do.  Trust me.  My Daughter, I love you.
                             Your Father,
                                   God

Being confident of this, He who began a work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  
        Philippians 1:6

Raising Annie

  God has blessed me with three amazing kids.  The fact they exist is a miracle God placed in our hands.  As I have shared in other posts, I didn't think I'd get to be a parent.  But God always sees the big picture and asks us to trust Him.  He always has a plan.  His plan for my life DID include motherhood, and I am praising God!
  As some know, we home school.  I enjoy it.  Some days are harder than others....some days are amazing and some days I really have to  trust God (cause those days are hard)... But, I really do love the freedoms of home schooling, as well as the slow, simple life it fosters.
  My sweet third born is an amazing child.  This dear sweet girl has a will...a constitution and knows what she wants in life (not sure where she got it...lol :))   I find myself having many talks with Annie.  I enjoy our conversations.  Alot of them seem to regard actions and consequences...a time I embrace because I can hold her and spend individual time shaping her and loving on her.  The last few month we've been addressing "sharing" with Annie.  Sharing is a struggle (especially when it comes to her Pet Shops, Barbies, Polly Pockets, dolls, books, stuffed animals,...etc...etc....etc..).  Okay, my sweet baby just struggles with sharing. Period.  I know she'll grow out of it...I am not too worried.  But many of our conversations do include submitting her will and sharing with her siblings.
   The last couple weeks during Bible time in school, we've also been discussing both heaven as well as hell.  We've been discussing what the Bible says about both.  I try to use words my kids understand...bringing it to their level.  I usually get nods and a few yes's. Understanding is my goal.
  Last week while driving to town, my sweet daughters started arguing.  I heard heated whispering followed by, "Mattie!!!!  JESUS SAYS YOU HAVE TO SHARE!"  And..."MATTIE, IF YOU DON"T SHARE, YOU WILL GO TO HELL!"  
WHAT?  My brain frantically flies threw all our Bible lessons...."Annie, that's NOT what mama said!", I reassure her.  We censor movies and influences in our kids lives; I know what my kids see and hear.  I also know Annie has never heard this anywhere else.  It was said in a 4 year old way....interpreting wisdoms she's collected in her short journey. 
  A brief conversation ensued,.  I am pretty sure she understands now.    I had to smile to myself a little.  Annie....my Annie.  God, please give me wisdom.  My sweet little fireball...  I guess I am guilty too...guilty of changing God's word to fit my agenda...maybe she gets that from me as well.  We are both works in progress..lol 
  Thank you God for grace!