Stay Strong.

Every morning when my daughter gets out of the car I say "I love you, Stay strong and have a good day." It is something I have said since first grade. It is just so routine. The other day I started thinking about my words to her..What do I mean when I say: stay strong? What is it that I hope for my daughter when she isn't in my presence? Though it's just a simple phrase "Stay strong." I am saying it with a lot of meaning and hope.

I hope that she stays strong in Christ. I hope that she stands strong in and on her Faith. I hope that when others may not be kind she stay strong and know good always overcomes evil. I hope that she knows her strength and the power behind it. I hope that she grow in her strength, so that when she enters her teenage and later her adult years she knows herself so well that she can remain strong in the fact that Christ is ALWAYS with her. I hope that her strength be an example for others and that she illuminate Christ in her 10 year old spirit. All the hopes for my daughter are also my prayers for her daily. I know she is a gift from God that must be treasured. I know he entrusted her care to me to nurture,love and teach. I do not take that lightly or for granted.


Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6


Though she is only 10 I see so much in that heart that assures me When I say " Stay strong" and when I lift her in prayer, I am heard! ...

“Though she be but little, she is fierce!”~ William Shakespeare

At the beginning of the year she told me that she wanted to give up her allowance to sponsor a child in need and I was wowed then. Then the other day she did something that both made me smile and cry all in one. She had got with my husband and dad and told them that she wanted to send Me, her mom to an alopecia areata(a condition I have)conference . She told them "I have $11 what can we do?" She had seen me receive the mail regarding the conference and asked if I wanted to go. I said "It might be nice someday but it's kind of expensive." I told her just to throw it away. She didn't! Instead they came up with the plan to sell plates of food to raise the money. I was told it was to help my dad with medical expenses. When I got home my husband pulled me aside and said " I just want you to know, we have such a special little girl." I sensed the emotion  in his voice and eyes and asked " I know we do but what makes you say that?" That's when my daughter came out and handed me the pamphlet for the conference along with the money that was raised. I was overwhelmed with emotion to say the least. What a heart my daughter has!

Last year she made the decision to give her heart to Christ and professed it so by baptism. That day our Pastor said " That girl is special! I felt something when she got in the water that I haven't before." I see now what it is. I see Christ in her! I can't wait to see what He has planned for her future and until then I will continue to Say "Stay Strong!"

I leave you with a quote by her....

" Stop hating the world and start loving what God created for you."~ Mia Pressler

Out of the mouths of babes.. Psalm 8:2

I see you

Autism.

What do you think of when you hear,see or read that word? Perhaps you know or love someone that comes to mind, perhaps it's just a word that describes someone you've seen or met or perhaps it's just a disorder you have heard of. For me it serves as a reminder of someone I love dearly. My sister in law Kati is not Autism although she is diagnosed as such. She may "have" it but it certainly does not have her. Since it's Autism awareness month I decided to dedicate this post to her and write her a letter....

Kati,

I want you to know I see you. I see your smile behind the frustration. I hear your laugh behind the tears and screams. I see your kindness behind your gestures. I see your love and sweet soul behind those eyes. You were created with purpose. You were created in His image. You were sent to your family to teach lessons far greater than anyone else could. You help us see the world in such a beautiful way. All you know is love and never met a stranger. What a perfect example of Christ's love than you.. You show us how to be selfless and how to love. I treasure your phone calls and messages. Remember no matter what others may say you are not defined by a diagnosis. You are defined by your creator. You are fearfully and wonderfully made! You are a child of God,a daughter,a sister,an aunt,a cousin,a friend. You are beautiful! Your family is so blessed with your presence and the fact that God chose us as your family! We see you! We hear you and above all We love you!

Psalm 139:14