Dear Lila and Emily,
Oh, sweet girls how can it be that another year has already come and gone. With this new year comes new resolutions. Resolutions that make you look to the future and think about who you want to be a week, month, year, decade or eternity from now. Because you girls are my heart and always will be, I cannot look at my future without thinking of you, my precious daughters. Resolutions to lose weight, get that job promotion, make more money, etc. are great earthly goals but they are not the ones that matter. Here me loud and clear... When we are called home and welcomed by our loving Heavenly Father and sweet, precious Jesus, none of those goals will matter.
So as I think about the changes I need to make this new year and the resolutions to be made, I again think of you and what I want you to learn most from me. I can teach you to shop, cook dinners, bake some fabulous goodies, craft and share my love for organization with you, but what I most want you to learn from me is that I have His word written in my heart. I want you to see me seek Him for every decision, praise Him for every blessing, be on my knees in prayer for those that need Him, and I want you to see me serve, love, and share in His name.
There is a whole lot I want to teach you in this life but this is the greatest thing I think I can give you... A mother who knows, really knows, her God and strives each and every day to know Him more. I want to teach you what really matters in life by my example. I recently came across a book I got several years back and while flipping through the pages I was inspired to make a list of the important things I want you to learn in this lifetime. So this list is my hopes and prayers for you, my beautiful daughters. Each one is something I hope to mirror for you so that you will be strong in your faith and love. And just in case you ever lose a little of that faith I want to be strong and wise enough to gently lead you back to the only thing that matters. So here they are...
My Hopes and Prayers for you, Lila and Emily....
I pray that you BELIEVE that Jesus is your Savior and Lord.Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.I pray that you TRUST the Lord always, Seeking His guidance in all aspects of your life.
Proverbs 3:5 -6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.I hope you CHOOSE what you know in your heart to be right, even when that way may be difficult.Proverbs 21:2
All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.I hope you STRIVE to become a person of integrity - it doesn't just happen by accident.Proverbs 8:10-11
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with her.I hope you DARE to be different when some around you are pressuring you to take the wrong direction.Joshua 24:15
But as for me and my household, we will serve, the Lord.I pray that you REACH for and build good friendships.1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."I hope you REALIZE life's simplest things can bring great joy in all situations.1 Timothy 6:6
But Godliness with contentment is great gain.I pray that you LISTEN to godly adults who offer their advice - they've been there and can help.Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.I hope you DISCOVER the wonderful and unique person God made you to be.Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.I hope you EXPERIENCE the gift of giving and receiving true love - and that you will keep yourself pure for your future husband.Psalm 24:4-5
He who has clean hands and a pure heart... will receive blessings from the Lord.I pray that you ACCOMPLISH all your goals in life.Matthew 6:33
Jesus said, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.I hope you embrace who you really are. It's not clothes and jewelry that count but who you are inside.1 Samuel 16:7
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.I know in my heart that I was put on this earth to be a mother, your mother. I want to do that job well. I know at times I will fail you, I am only human, but please know sweet Lila and sweet Emily that I will always strive to give you my all. I want to be the best I can be, the person that God uniquely created to comfort, nurture, and guide you through this difficult life. If we keep our eyes on our prize I have no doubt we will be richly rewarded with our Father in Heaven. So this year my resolution is to truly put God first in all things. I wish I could say that your mother already has this down, and while I have the best of intentions, I am human and I fall short. But I thank the Lord that falling is full of grace and so I will continue to make a stab at it again and again... as long as it takes!
All my love to you both,
Mommy
