08 Oct A Letter to my Youngest Daughter on her Eighth Birthday

My Dearest Abigail,

You are my effervescent child. Bubbling over with joy, all of life is your celebration. I crave your energy and very literally can’t keep up with you at times. October 8, 2012 we welcomed you into the world here at home, in our bedroom. You love to point at the bed (which is now in the basement) and say “I was born there!” with decided pride. Five years later, snuggled up to me on the same bed, while fittingly wearing a Cinderella outfit, you gave your heart to Jesus.

Today is your golden birthday. My, have you grown. And yet, there are certain qualities in your personhood that have remained consistent from the very beginning.  I would love to draw your attention to these character traits today to highlight just a few of God’s fingerprints in your life.

Abigail, you are loving and caring. With every affirmation I speak, there is a clear line back to your Heavenly Father. Who has made you capable of loving? Your Heavenly Father, who is love. When I watch the way you interact with the natural world – with plants, animals, and even little creatures like bugs and worms – I get a glimpse of both Eden and the New Earth. Your sheer delight in living creatures and your awe over how they have been created is inspiring, as you reflect the heart of God.

Abigail, you are fearless and adventurous. There is no obstacle that you see as insurmountable. Can it be done? Is it humanly possible? You test the limits in beautiful ways and remind us all to try new things, explore new places, run with the horses. You have also never seen your age or size as barriers to your adventures.

Abigail, you are an overcomer. In your eight years on planet earth, you have already faced some demons and by God’s grace, slain them with the Word of Truth. Because you know what darkness feels like, you are not ignorant of lies when you hear them and you are growing to cherish the truth.

Abigail, you are a gift from God. Your middle name, Charis, is a daily reminder of this as it means “gift” in Greek. You enrich the lives of everyone in our family.

Thank you, dear Abbey, for being a daily reminder to us of God’s loving care and His invitation to live each day with expectation and wonder. I am so excited to have a front row seat to watch you bloom and grow.

Happy Golden Birthday!

Love,

Mommy