Last week, my husband received a letter in the mail from his mother. When he read it, he discovered that it was a letter she wrote to him while he was still a baby. It is very sweet and details many of the hopes and dreams that she has for him. How ironic is it that this week’s “Toddle Along Tuesday” is hopes and dreams for our children? I journal and write prayers to God—many of which include my hopes and dreams for my son. However, if I penned an open letter to K, it would say something like this….
Dear K,
When I hold you in my arms and look into your eyes (which happen to look exactly like mine), all I can be is grateful. I’m grateful because you are the manifestation of a promise that God gave to me many years ago. All I ever wanted is to be a wife and mother. There were times in my life when I never thought that would happen. I didn’t think I deserved it. There were many nights when I cried myself to sleep yearning for something that I never thought I’d have. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was yearning for you. I want you to know that it’s only because of God that we’ve been able to see our family come together. Many years ago, the Lord gave me a choice. He told me that if I chose him, he would give me the desires of my heart. One of those desires was you. Now, just like he said it would happen, you’re here.
When I hold you in my arms and look into your eyes (which happen to look exactly like mine), all I can be is grateful. I’m grateful because you are the manifestation of a promise that God gave to me many years ago. All I ever wanted is to be a wife and mother. There were times in my life when I never thought that would happen. I didn’t think I deserved it. There were many nights when I cried myself to sleep yearning for something that I never thought I’d have. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was yearning for you. I want you to know that it’s only because of God that we’ve been able to see our family come together. Many years ago, the Lord gave me a choice. He told me that if I chose him, he would give me the desires of my heart. One of those desires was you. Now, just like he said it would happen, you’re here.
Now that you’re here, I understand why I had to wait for you. I had to be ready—ready to be your Mommy. I always want you to know that God has a great purpose for you. I know because when I found out that I was pregnant with you (6 weeks), I was in a horrible accident that totaled my car, but God spared you. He spared us. Actually, that morning, God told me that you were a strong baby and I didn’t have to worry about miscarriage or anything. It’s funny because that’s how people continue to describe you even now. You are my little strong man. Always remember to be strong in life. Everything will not always work out the way you think, even if you follow the Lord, but be strong because it will work together for your good. Always remember that God is real. Jesus is real. How do I know? Look at Mommy and Daddy. We can tell you or have probably told you all of the things that he’s done for us. The love that we have for each other and you is only because of him.
It is my prayer that you will be a man of God and a man of integrity. Remember your name. You’re named after your grandfather, a strong man of God. Your middle name is Micaiah, after the prophet who always told the truth no matter what the consequence. We want you to be bold and courageous. We want you to have joy—godly joy because that joy will never fade. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Always show compassion and carry yourself with respect and dignity. Never forget, you are a child of God.
Always remember Mommy and Daddy love you. You won’t understand how much until you have children of your own, but we’ll love you no matter what. There’s nothing that you can do or say that will destroy our love for you. Enjoy the ups and downs of life and never give up! Persevere. There are always greater things to come.
In the words of one of our favorite books, “I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, your Mommy I’ll be.”
PS: If it’s not too much to ask, I want to dance with you at your wedding to this song:
