WARRIOR FOR CHRIST

I look back at you in your carseat-- the sun reflecting off your baby blues and rosy cheeks because you always get hot and bothered when i'm trying to put you in the car-- and i cannot help but say, "THANK YOU, JESUS FOR MAKING HER MINE"

Your sweet little voice.  The way you make such a big deal of the things that seem so small to our adult eyes and minds.  Your pitter patter when you walk.  Your sweet blonde curls.  Your dance moves.  How you "jump".  When you say "you okay momma?" and put your arm around my neck.  When we say, "let's pray to Jesus" and you cup your hands and touch your nose to them.  When you sing Jesus Loves Me and I'm a Little Tea Pot.  When you cuddle me and your tiny delicate fingers pat me on the back like you are letting me know you love me and saying "thank you, momma".  When you say "Go Way" to EmJay.  When you cup your ear and make the biggest o with your mouth every time you hear an "aypane" in the sky.  How you gaze out the window with such innocence.  How you double pump your arm with a pointed finger when you REALLY want something or say "okay okay".  How you say the word pumpkin--- "puhnkhin".  Your long skinny legs.  When you lay on your belly and kick in the bath tub.

Every day is different--You say something new, do a new gesture, have a new dance move, try a new food (ha yeah right.. just dreaming there), or discover something your eyes have never noticed.  I am in disbelief and completely grateful that I get to be here every day- that I am the momma that gets to have such a spectacular, full of life, energetic, talkative, silly head, dancing machine, sing her heart out, hug me so tight I can't breathe little girl to make every day even more than a blessing than it already was before you woke up.  I know it's not because of anything "good" I did--- It's because Jesus decided to send you to fill my days with joy.  He trusted me with you.  He daily trusts me to pour into you the wisdom and love that He is continuously providing me.  He also desires your heart, Millie.  Praise Him for that!

So, to my 19 month old ray of sunshine, this is what i pray for you.
I pray that the days of your life will be long.  So long that you fill them to the brim with things and people you love and you don't waste a single second looking down on yourself or wallowing in regret.  That you never stop seeing the world as such a large land that was created for your exploration.  That you see people for who they truly are--and that is who God sees them as.  That you find their identity and especially your own identity in our Lord.  He loves you, Millie.  I pray that you have friends.  That you have friends who will also love Jesus.  I pray that you have friends whose parents love Jesus.  That those friends are lights in your life and that, in return, you are a light to them.  I pray that your heart beats to the same rhythm as the heart of our Savior.  That you look for those who need help, believe in those who are helping alongside you, and that you help until you can't help anymore.  I pray that you love.  That you love with grace, mercy, consistency, prayerfully, selflessly, and shamelessly.  I pray for your sexuality.  That you will find a man who is lost in a love affair with Jesus.  That your relationship will be built on biblical truth, and that you will allow the Lord to guide you through life purely until the day you say "I do".  I pray for our relationship.  That you will see me as your mother, your teacher, your confidant and sounding board, your shoulder, your hand to help you up and lift you up, your arms that are wailing in the air cheering you on for all things you believe in, your beautician until my ways are no longer cool (which may be sooner than I hope), and as a sister in Christ.  I pray for your health.  That Jesus lays his hands on your life with a clean bill of health so that you can energetically use your hands, feet, voice, and heart to serve Him.  I pray for your happiness.  That you'll share joy in every place you plant your feet.  That you won't lose that contagious giggle and million dollar smile.  That you will still twirl all around and not worry about what people watching may think.  That the hard times will be overshadowed by blessings and strength.  I pray that you allow yourself to be YOU! I pray that Millie Everett Willard is a warrior for Christ.  Go get 'em, sweet baby girl.