Dear Adelee,

Today, like most days, you woke up with a sweet smile, messy blonde curls and a gentle “will you help me get dressed?” I thanked God for you and I prayed that you would always pursue a heart of humility; one that wars against pride and feels the freedom to be weak.

Today, like most days, you pulled our tiny white stool up beside me as I worked in the kitchen preparing ingredients for a meal. You cheerfully asked if you could help and I said “of course.” While you stood there chattering away, helping me measure and messily mix ingredients, I silently prayed that you would always know the joy of serving others.

Today, like most days, there were moments of discouragement, moments when you wanted to give up, and in those moments I said “Adelee, you can do hard things.” And I prayed that you would always know that God is mighty in you; He is big and powerful and in your weakest moments He is strongest.

Today, like most days, you asked if you could play with Vera, your very best friend. And I prayed that you would always know the value of close friendships and pursue them; and that in those friendships you would feel the freedom to be transparent and vulnerable; that you would look to other’s needs above your own and that in the messiest of moments you would have a heart full of grace.

Today, like most days, you changed outfits no less than a dozen times. You have been pairing outfits together since before you could walk and you have never met a sparkly shoe you didn’t want to try on. And as I watched you show off each new outfit I marveled at how God has created you with very specific talents and interests. And I prayed that you would always feel the freedom to pursue those talents and use your unique creativity knowing that you are “God’s masterpiece, created in Jesus to do good works.” 

Today, like most days, you danced in front of the mirror and we chatted about what makes a girl beautiful. And I prayed that you would always know that beauty is found in a heart that is full of grace and in a mind that is intelligent and in a life that lives to love God and to love others. 

Today, like most days, as we said goodnight and you kicked off your covers (because you hate covers) I prayed that as God chases hard after you, that He would grow your love for Him, that He would give you a love for His Word and for His people and that by His grace you would never know a day of not knowing Him. Adelee, I pray that: 

“according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

Today, is your birthday. Today, you turn 5. And today, like all days, your mama is so unbelievably grateful to be your mama.  

Love,
mama