My little girl turned 10 years old last week. (Blink) Wow, that decade went fast!
Ever since she was a baby, my husband and I have tried our best to teach her about God. It started with lullaby worship music in her nursery. I would hum tunes and sing lyrics about God’s love as I rocked her to sleep.
As she grew into a toddler, my husband and I would take turns reading her nightly bedtime stories from children’s picture Bibles.
Then as she transitioned from pre-school to elementary age, we would have her read the stories aloud to us. We also started to have more discussions beyond the words and pictures printed on the pages.
About the time she was 7, I began to encourage her to go further in her relationship with God. She knows the stories—but knowledge is not faith. I wanted her to move beyond the names of Bible characters and factual information.
It’s easy to get stuck in monotonous religious routines. But there’s so much more available with God than remembering rules and checking off a daily Bible reading or prayer.
So I encouraged our daughter to start a listening journal—spend time with God in prayer, listen to what He speaks to her heart, and write it down.
I cannot tell you how many precious entries she has shared with me over the years. Cherished conversations with God that reach deep. Thank You Holy Spirit!
Recently she showed me one that melted my mama heart. It was a poem that she wrote about who she is in God’s eyes:
I’m a princess in Your heart
No matter where I’ve been
I’m a princess in Your heart
Even though I sin
I’m a princess in Your heart
It’s not about the fashion
I’m a princess in Your heart
With lot’s of love and passion
I’m a princess in Your heart
I know You love me so
I’m a princess in Your heart
No need for a crown to glow
I’m a princess in Your heart
Ever since the very start
Oh, if only we could all see ourselves like this—precious children of the King! This is true identity. We are beautiful treasures to God. Our value has nothing to do with appearances, achievements, or accolades. Just grace, truth, and love.
I pray that she keeps this poetic perspective as she is entering the “tween years.” Media will bombard her with false pictures of beauty. She will be showered with comments from her peers about who they think she is. Worldly advice will be given about how she should change to fit in or stand out from the crowd to be more popular.
Lord, help my daughter, and all of us to KNOW WHO WE ARE THROUGH YOU. May our identity rest in Your reflection.
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT)
”How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” (Psalm 139:17 NLT)