I've always tried to make sure that my children have had opportunities to fly their little wings and use the gifts that God has given them. When my oldest son was little, I let him try everything. As he got a little older his passions became evident in basketball and football. My husband coached him in both sports from the time he was eight, till he was in high school. Lots of practices and games on the weekend. Time that was well spent! I believe most of my son's hard work ethic is a direct result of everything he learned from my husband!
In the meantime, my daughter has spent many weekends supporting her big brother! That's been a normal in her life. Sometimes watching three to four games during a tournament or sitting on the bleachers in the blazing hot sun for a football game. She is one of his greatest fans though! Unlike her brother, athleticism isn't one of her strengths. She could really care less about a basketball game or football game! God had something totally different in mind when He created this beautiful girl. I've struggled at times with her ambition and ability to try anything! Can't she just find one thing she likes and work hard at it? Instead she likes to try new things with the change of the seasons. At times this frustrates me, because I want to fit her in the same box as her brother. Instead, I have to remember that she didn't come into this world to be my masterpiece. She belongs to someone so much greater than I! She was created in a way that surpasses my knowledge and understanding! I can't let my fears of what she will or won't be, prevent her from flying.
God has blessed my girl with many gifts, but this one gift, I admire the most. Perhaps it's because I know it has nothing to do with anything I did, and everything to do with God's handprint on her life. Ever since my girl was little she has had this ability to get in front of a large crowd and perform fearlessly. When she was six she auditioned for Annie and had to sing by herself in a huge auditorium in front of a few hundred people. Momma was sitting there shaking and she sings the lines with full confidence. Then when she was 8 years old she spoke at my grandfather's memorial service on a stage in front of a large crowd again. This wasn't a couple of cute lines. This was her interpretation of why he was her hero. A priceless moment I have captured in my heart. Then 6th grade rolls around. Finally she is old enough to run for ASB! Once again, she speaks with confidence even though her microphone went out. Unfortunately she didn't win. Do you think that would stop her from running this year? Of course not! Not only is she running, but she chose a position where the competition is going to be intense. She had opportunity to take the easy road and win a certain position automatically, but that's not my girl. She is definitely a risk taker! To be honest, I tried to coerce her into taking the easy road. Let's just be safe. Let's be realistic. I don't want to see her experience another loss. I don't want to feel the pain of possibly watching another election go by defeated. Sometimes our most heartfelt intentions can be used as road blocks in our children's lives. This day she didn't need her mom to keep her safe, she needed her mom to lock arms with her and believe in her! Once again I almost let my fears crush her amazing ability to dream big and go for the best! I was quickly convicted, apologized and jumped on board! Having my unconditional support was huge to her. Side note. It's never too late to Stop. Make a U-Turn and start all over. Sometimes us moms start going on and on even though we know we are wrong and we let pride take over. Maybe I'm the only one? Let's humble ourselves and admit we don't know it all and choose the road that will help our children grow and thrive!
Tomorrow my girl will go before her classmates and give her speech. I will be praying that she does her very best! I will be in the crowd cheering her on. Do I want her to win? Of course! To me she has already won though. She is brave and courageous! She has this confidence and determination that brings her to speak. I admire it so much. I pray that she will only grow stronger in this gift and that Christ would be reflected in all she does! Winning or loosing this election does not define her. She is "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" Eph. 2:10. God will fulfill his purpose in her life and I need to trust in His plan. I need to seek His wisdom and knowledge so I won't be a road block, instead I need to grab the shovel and start digging with her as she digs deep for her dreams and God's plan for her life. To God Be The Glory!!
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. (Psalms 139:13, 14 NLT)
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalms 139:16 NLT)
