Stages

Dear Alyssa,

 

"Every new stage a child goes through, a mother is going through one too."  Boy, isn’t that the truth?  I remember you starting your first day of Kindergarten at the comfort of our kitchen table.   I loved knowing you were right there with me where I could protect your innocence with what you heard and saw.  I could shelter your heart from the "mean" of the world.  Home was a haven deliberately filled with words of kindness, songs of worship, laughter, and safety. 

 

Seasons later changed.  The teacher hat no longer fit me.   Third grade came.  You were everything cute on that first day of school.  While you hobbled down the hallway with your oversized backpack of goodies, I suddenly was attacked with a backpack full of "mom worries."  This was my time to trust God, in new ways, with my most precious gift: one of my children.  I would learn that you would be exposed to unkind people and ugly situations, and that was okay.  That’s how life works.  No, I wouldn’t be there when it happened, but as soon as school was over, I would be there to kiss the “boo-boo’s” and wipe the tears.  

Then I apparently blinked or something because just like that... another scene change.  Tonight is 8^th grade graduation. You will be a high schooler in the fall.  Wow!  How did that happen?   You truly have grown into such a beautiful, young lady.  You are sensitive to others and to our God.  I am so very proud of you; and not the cliché “mommy goggles” kind of proud. J  You truly are a beautiful person, inside and out.

Alyssa, “boo-boo’s” continue throughout life.  It’s not going to be the scraped knee at recess or a friend who wouldn’t share the ball.  The goodbyes, the transitions, the making of new friends can feel overwhelming.  The challenges with tougher schoolwork, responsibilities, and friendships may seem insurmountable at times.  I get it.   The whole "Every new stage a child goes through, a mother is going through one too” quote – YEP.  I’m feeling it.  I know what you’re going through, and in my own mom kind of way, my heart is walking it with you.  And guess what?  I’m here for you through all these “ouchies” too.  Always.  

 

Love, Mom
 

Lord, I thank You for entrusting Alyssa into my hands - to care for her, to raise her to know You, to help her learn to hear Your voice, and ultimately to one day return her back to You.   I ask for Your help, Your guidance, Your wisdom.  I want to present You with a daughter one day that has made You proud with her life.  I pray for protection and long life for Alyssa.  May Your hand of blessing and favor follow her everywhere she goes.  I commit her once again to You; that she would live a life unashamed of You - a life recklessly abandoned to Your will.  Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t9u-LOa3OI