Her blue eyes twinkle.
Her laugh contagious.
She was born on the Holiest of nights.
Her time within my womb one of my sweetest memories.
A surprise.
In the midst of grief.
A reminder to pause and be grateful.
Slow it down.
How did Mary feel?
How did she travel those roads?
I reveled in modern comforts and ease.
She came on the Holiest of Nights.
After the stockings were hung.
After I had called it a day.
Her arrival announced.
A disruption around us.
The first child born with out my beautiful mother in law.
She came forth and we named her Christiana Shirley.
She brings great delight where ever she goes.
Her ways; much like her Grandmother.
Focused.
Creative.
Beautiful.
Hard working.
Kind.
Sensitive.
Goofy!
My wish for this beautiful girl is a life surrendered to the One with whom this Season reflects.
That her life would mirror the grace and love Born in a manger.
She’s not afraid of a challenge!
Our children are a gift from on high.
A gift on loan from above.
Each moment is treasured as we impart wisdom and pray that they will see.
I know all too well how quickly that gift can be taken.
The searing pain as the one you love is taken from you.
The rest of the journey here on this earth is spent stepping purposefully into each day.
Choosing to seek joy and hope.
Resting in the plan that you don’t like.
Knowing with full assurance that God is holding each piece.
You need to trust.
Christiana Shirley; you are a joy and a delight to raise.
May your steps be strong and sure as you head deeper into the teenage years.
May your convictions remain rooted in the grace of our Savior.
Psalm 127:3
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.
