Prayer For My Daughter And Yours

You know that old country song "Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys"?

I think it could just as easily say "Mama's don't let your babies grow up".

Of course, then we wouldn't be doing our jobs would we?

It seems a bit unfair that we are given these most precious gifts that we hold so dearly and who take pieces of our hearts with them  wherever they go, only to have them grow to not need us so much and then to  eventually fly away.

Our sweet baby girl, isn't so much a baby anymore as she is a sweet young lady.

We celebrated her 8th birthday this past Sunday.

And what a gift it is to celebrate her.

In her brief little life she has taught me so much about kindness, grace giving and genuine love for people.

She was the exact gift we needed to soften the Wild Boys, and their Momma.

Here is my prayer for her-and really for all our daughters:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the gift of this precious girl.  Words really aren't enough to tell you how grateful I am to be her Mom.  I look at her and marvel and I wonder what grand plans you have for her.

Lord, I pray beyond anything else that she would grab hold of you and hang on and never let go.

When friends hurt her, when her heart is broken, when the world tries to break her and mold her, when her parents let her down, I pray that her mind and heart would be so in tune with you she never wanders far from you.

I pray that her light is never dimmed  by the harshness of this world.  I pray that her heart is protected from those who's intentions aren't honorable. 
I pray that she would be wise beyond her years.
I pray that the same delight she now finds in a firefly or dandelion never leaves her spirit.

I pray that she would be surrounded by friends who love You and her.  That she'll have at least one true friend to walk thru life with-that she'll know what it's like to giggle all night with a friend and dream big dreams together. 

I pray that when others are unkind, instead of growing callous to the harshness of this world, instead she'll be tough yet tender.
That the same "princess warrior" spirit she has now is never squelched  or squandered.

I pray that harm never finds her. And that her heart is never left unguarded- until the day it's ready to be handed over to another. And, I pray for that boy right now, that he'll love you and serve you and protect his heart until he's ready for my Dear Girl.  I pray that he has parents who love him and who teach him to love you.

I pray that she never lets failure keep her from trying again and that she never lets fear keep her from flying.

And, I pray when that day comes  and she is  ready to fly, that she has a Momma who sends her soaring into this world ready to make kingdom differences.

I pray that every day, every week, month and year until then, that we cherish each moment-even the hard ones-because each and every one is a gift.

We can never do it without you, Jesus.
And thank you will never be enough.

Amen.


Happy Birthday Precious Girl, I am so thankful I get to watch and help you grow up. It is a privilege and joy to be your Momma.