To My Littlest Encourager

To my littlest encourager:

You may have inherited your momma’s love of words.

I see you there, late at night, under the cover of the closet light, reading a book with emphatic flare even though you can’t quite yet make out what those words say.

I see you bubbling up with excitement as you share the day’s stories full of friendship and wonder.

You, my beautiful one, are such an encourager.

It’s you that exclaims, “Mommy you look BEAUTIFUL!” when I come out in a suit early in the morning for a big meeting.

It’s you that throws your hands around my neck and says, “Mommy, you’re my BEST friend!” when I most need to hear the words.

It’s you that cuddles in with me at bedtime and shares, “I love you so much!” and then hugs for dear life.

You are an encourager.  You are my heartbeat.

Could I offer encouragement back?

I know that you love others with wild abandon and sometimes that can lead to you heartaches.  Please keep on loving.

I know that you embrace life with a bold sense of adventure and sometimes that can lead to skinned knees and plans all akimbo.  Please continue the adventure.

I know that you seek art and beauty in the world around you and sometimes that can lead to seeing counterfeit or errors.  Please keep seeking the art, you artist.

On the days when it’s hard to be an encourager, when it’s hard to offer unbridled passion, when your heart is broken, or your soul has been let down, keep the faith.  You are beautiful.  You are my best friend.  You are loved.

Trust that even in the moments when you feel most discouraged, we have a God who gives us endurance to run the race and the encouragement to get through the hard seasons.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.  May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify God.  Romans 15

Linking up today with Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart community of encouragers.