My Little Person

A realization hit me today. I'm raising a little person. Now, it may seem a bit "DUH" to read but, this is big for me. This week has been one of my favorites as a family - like ever. My daughter is growing into a little person. On Friday, she sat on my lap and we ate a whole pear together. How cool is that? Tonight, we pulled into the garage from work and I unloaded the car while Luke took the garbage cans to the curb. Chloe? She was just chilling in the car watching us go about our duties. No fussing, screaming, or tantrum. She just took it in. Shortly after, Luke & I set the table and sat down for some crock pot ham & potato soup. Our little person sat up to the table, ate our same food, drank water like us & even interjected a few times during conversation. On other days, as I go from room to room in our house collecting laundry or picking up strewn items, she follows me. When she hasn't seen me step into a room, she will make a "Ehhhh" noise until I respond.. almost like she's calling for my attention. A few times, she's even stopped to give us hugs & kisses.

In Mom's Club, we've been talking about how our kids see God portrayed through how we act and what we say. I haven't thought much about it since she's just seemed like my baby. But as I watch her eyes dart from one thing to the next, taking in all her surroundings, and as I watch the edge of her mouth twitch in concentration at something intriguing, I know this sweet girl is taking in our big world. She's learning that letting go of her drink will make a loud noise, she's seeing the ball roll back and forth, and she's hearing the sounds that her toys are making. But even bigger than that, she hears when mama raises her voice at a stupid another driver and she sees the tension when things aren't smooth between Luke & I. Right now, she is learning those things in our world. However, she will soon experience things in her world -- gymnastic classes, going to junior high, prom, and college. Sometime, sadly enough, probably sooner than later, this smiley girl will also learn the sins of this world. She will have a friend that talks badly about her behind her back, she will be made fun of, and as much as I don't want to even begin thinking about it, a boy is probably going to break my little girl's heart. When those things happen, how will she react? Will she blame God? Build walls to protect herself? Or has she seen how faithful God is and will she run to Him? As I'm dealing with life -- dilemmas at work, unkind or "different" people, and even disagreements with my husband, how am I preparing her to be a big person that serves our God with her responses? Have I shown her how to extend grace and love? Has she learned to see the beauty of this world that God created even with the sin all around us?

Oh Lord, that is a task that I am not able to tackle on my own. 

Give me strength. Teach me. Show me. Let your grace shine through me. 

Help me raise the best little person that I can.

Remind me in the tough times that I have eyes watching me. 

Thank you for this blessing that was beyond my dreams.

Right now, I'm so happy to have a girl that is fascinated with doggies, flowers, books, and the outdoors. Someone who smiles more times a day than I can count and now grins every time I walk into the room. A sweet child that points to learn, hates to lay down on her back, and loves bath time. A precious, little mix of mischievous daddy and feisty mommy. But before I know it, she will be a beautiful young woman. I hope & pray that I've taught her to turn to her eternal Father, to trust when there is no rhythm or rhyme in life, to obey when it's not always what feels good in the moment, and to love others above herself.