She is fancy. I am plain Jane. She puts her pinky out when she sips her tea. I gulp mine quickly in the morning so I don’t miss my chance. She adores tutus and frills. I am crazy about lounge pants. She isn’t some socialite in a faraway city; she is my daughter. How she arrived in this world so perfectly girly with a mama who doesn’t even know how to apply make-up, I’ll never know. But she’s mine, wild as she is.
She is a delightful mixture of fun and freedom, who never stops moving, but she isn’t in my life simply for playtime. She is here, with me, because I am the one God chose to lead her to the Way, to lead her to Jesus.
Sermons regarding Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:14 generally cause us to think about other children, not our own. After reading it again recently, I felt a clearly spoken word settle in my mama-heart: this verse starts at home.
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14) ESV
When Adelaide dances through the living room morning and night, when she stages opera performances, when she wants to trek through the pine barren on yet another adventure—all these moments, when I’d prefer quiet or rest, Jesus is calling to me. ‘Don’t stop her. Let her sing. Let her play. Let her run. Let her dance. And in the dance and in the song, show her how to find Me.’
I drop the ball many days. Many times she sees only who I am, and not the Savior in me, but oh how I will keep trying! For my little girl, I will try again and again to show her that her wonderful spirit came from Him and that He is the way she should live her beautiful, precious life.
The conviction is a gift. I so often set my sights on my ministry, on my calling, on what I need to do for others. The Word of God opened my eyes to a truth we too often ignore, Adelaide will grow up. She will be one of the women I write for and minister to now. God took the time to show me that I get to start early with her.
I do not know what Adelaide will bring to the world as a woman, but I know that I will show her Jesus while she is little. I can only imagine what she will give to so many others someday. I treasure the faithful promises of the Father and for the potential, He created in this precocious whirlwind of a daughter.
About the Guest Author:
Shirley Robinson is a Christian creative who is overflowing with a vision for the online mission field. Shirley, her husband Paul, and their two kids are East Coast natives. Together they enjoy amassing hoards of books and board games. Shirley is the author of the Christmas devotional, Messiah Resounding, and will be releasing her second book in the spring of 2021. If you’d like to get to know her more, your best bet is Instagram! (@shirleyrobinsonverseshare)
Connect with Shirley:
https://www.instagram.com/shirleyrobinsonverseshare
https://www.facebook.com/microdevos
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