IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY...
8.11.10
My Dearest Sydney,
Tomorrow, you will begin a new chapter of your life… Your freshman year of high school. The next four years will hold many great memories for you. There are several milestones you will hit during this time... getting your drivers license, going to prom, and graduation (to name just a few). Your friendships will be tested and temptation will be at its highest. I want to encourage you to live these next four years in a way that you will come out on the other side with no regrets. I want you to have fun, and enjoy it… It’s true when you hear people say how fast it goes by!! I didn’t believe it when my mom was telling me… And you will not really realize it until you have children of your own. Don’t’ get me wrong… I’m not asking for perfection!! You know as well as I do, that that cannot be achieved. I’m only asking that you strive for a higher standard than what is considered acceptable by the world. Romans 12:2 says, ‘Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.’ And, I want nothing more for your life than for you to step into God’s perfect will for your life!!! You may not know what that is at this moment, and that’s ok… He will reveal it to you in His timing. And that’s all we can ask for.
I want to encourage you to allow your peers to see Jesus in you. Let them see the fire you have for HIM. For what is right. For those who are hurting. For salvation. For grace and mercy. Pray for yourself and your friends often!! And let your friends know that you’re praying for them. Show them the way the Lord would want them to conduct themselves. Tell them of the expectations He has for their lives. You will be surprised by those who come to know Jesus just from seeing your example.
I want to encourage you to not settle for less than what the Lord has intended for you!! Second best is not good enough!! Do not choose personality over character. And never forget who you are in Christ!
There will be times, over the next four years that we will not agree on things. There will be places you are not allowed to go, things you are not allowed to do. I assure you… this is not because I want to limit you, take away your fun, or simply make you mad. This is because I love you… plain and simple.
I want you to know that if you are ever in a situation that is uncomfortable to you, in any way, all you have to do is call me. I will be right there… no questions asked. I want to keep the lines of communication open between us… I want you to feel comfortable telling me things, and I want you to know that I will keep your confidence. I understand that there may be things that you do not want to tell me… in this case, I’m so very thankful that you have people in your life who have invested time into you… who love you… and who will give you Godly advice. With that said, I’d like to be included in that list of people ;)
Tomorrow will be bittersweet to me. I’m so very excited that you are coming into this time of your life. On the other hand, it seems like just yesterday that I was putting your hair in pigtails, putting on your pullup, and rubbing noses with you. Yes, I realize that this is the natural progression of life… and I’m looking forward to creating lasting memories with you during this time in your life! I love you more than you will ever know!! I am so very proud of the young woman you are becoming!! And I thank God every day that He has blessed me with you!! I’m definitely not deserving… I’m definitely grateful… And I’m definitely blessed beyond measure!!
My prayer for you as you travel this road:
Dear LORD: I thank you for having enough faith in me to give me this blessing of a child. Sydney is, truly, more than I could have ever hoped for. I thank you, LORD, that you have drawn her to you in a way that I was not privileged at her age. I thank you for the fire that is within her… to seek You, wholeheartedly! I pray, God, that as she begins this next chapter of her life, that You would lead and guide her. That you would go before her in all that she does. I pray that Your mighty hedge of protection surrounds her in all situations. I pray that you continue Your work in her, as my greatest desire is for her relationship with You to be strong. I pray that Your light shines through her on a daily basis, and that You use her in ways that will benefit Your Kingdom. God… I pray that she turns to you in all that she does. I pray that she gives you praise and thanks in all situations. I pray that she is a woman of prayer… that she comes boldly to Your throne, and asks for the desires of her heart. I pray that she feels your comfort and peace in trying times, and that Your strength is renewed in her daily. I pray that she finds joy in everyday life, and that she comes to see that joy is not an emotion, but a choice. I pray that the words she speaks are uplifting and encouraging. I pray, God, that when she feels low, that You lift her up. That she feels Your presence in her life. I pray that, through her life, those around her will see Your goodness. Your grace. Your mercy. Your joy. Your strength. It’s in the loving name of Jesus I pray… AMEN!
I love you, Sydney!!
Love, Mom
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