15 Things I Want For My Daughter

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Today marks 15 years since the doctor cut open my body to deliver a piece of my heart. 15 years that my husband and I have loved this girl the Lord has given us. 15 years of stumbling and failing as a parent. 15 years of much-needed grace. 15 years of heights and depths I never could have imagined. 15 years of love.

As I ponder these 15 years and how they've passed so quickly - so quickly - I think of these 15 things I'd like most for her:

1. "..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" (Eph. 3:18-19)

 2. To forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, pressing on toward the upward call in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14)

 3. To guard her hear with all vigilance (Prov. 4:23)

 4. That the Word of God will always light her steps (Psalm 119:105)

 5. To remember that "the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7)

 6. To "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant" (Phil. 2:1-8).

7. To work out her salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12)

8. To "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Col. 1:9-12)

9. To long to dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze upon His beauty. (Psalm 27:4)

10. To "be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger". (James 1:19)

11. To "do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31)  

12. To be wise in her all of her relationships and remember that "a threefold cord is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) 

13. That the Lord will fill her mouth with laughter (Psalm 126:1-3)

14. To "only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all [her] heart" (1 Samuel 12:24)

15. To love the Lord God with all her heart, soul, and might. (Deut. 6:5)

May it be so, Lord.  

Comments

Kim Shay said…
Love it! Happy Birthday to the piece of your heart!
October 7, 2013 at 6:24 AM
Persis said…
Happy birthday to your girl. May your prayer for her be answered.
October 7, 2013 at 7:48 AM
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