I should really have been sleeping while my precious little one got the rest she so badly needed. But there I lay in my cozy bed restless and sad about the state of this crazy world. Sometimes it’s just too much for my heart to comprehend and I can't help but cry and ask why. So instead of focusing on all that is wrong I start to contemplate all that is so very right. I remember the wise words of Bing Crosby as he crooned so long ago and I begin to "count my blessings instead of sheep".

As I do this I smile and think of the little girl fast asleep in her bed down the hall and all of the ways she has changed my life for the better. I think of the things I want to tell her right now, of memories we have made in our hilarious Disneyland adventures and how funny and cute she was when she refused to dance in her recital because it wasn't ballet. I want to tell her how my heart swells when we pass a nativity in someone's yard and she yells "Jesus loves me!" I think to the future and want to tell her as a 16 year old how I do understand what it's like to be a teenager and no matter what she thinks I will always love her and so will Jesus.

So I stop thinking and start doing. I turn on the light and I grab a pen and paper and begin a letter "Dear Charlotte," I tell her all of these things. I tell her how proud I am of her. I tell her that whatever her age all she needs is to trust Jesus and she will never be lost. I remind her that just because some prayers aren't answered it does not mean God doesn't hear us. I write almost 2 pages and sign it with my love and seal it in an envelope. I will be buying a special box tomorrow and I plan to write to her often so that no matter what this crazy world throws our way she will someday read all of the ways she blessed me by simply being her.

I wouldn’t change a hair on her head. I don’t care that some days I don’t sit down or that most of my exercise comes in the form of “flying” down the hall pretending to be a superhero or a fairy. I drink more imaginary tea than a human should probably consume and I know all of the words to every Toy Story movie and can sing any Disney song on command. It doesn’t bother me that playing Barbies consists of the same “Hi may name is (fill in the princess), How are you doing?” conversation over and over. None of this bothers me because she is sweet and kind and learning every minute of every day. Every second I spend with her is a chance to teach her something. To remind her that kindness can be the simple act of sharing a toy, love is unconditional, and everything we do in life can be turned in to a lesson of how great our God is.

 I encourage you as parents to stop and slow down. Put down the phone. Everything else can wait. Before we know it our kids will be grown and it will be too late to share a cup of imaginary tea or listen to their story and they will have kids of their own. Speak words of encouragement and love into your child’s life. At the end of the day no matter what has taken place think of your top 3 favorite moments and praise God for all of the ways he has blessed you. Find a way to share that blessing and let your sweet child know how thankful you are that they are just the way God made them and that you wouldn’t change a hair on their head.

 “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

 Nikki Wheatley
Elementary Ministries Director