November is a month for writers. You may be familiar with NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo through BlogHer, where eager wordsmiths dedicate time each day to write, with the goal to complete a novel or at least post daily on their blogs. Encouraged by some writing friends, I am joining with the many to write words of purpose with a special project that I have been wanting to complete. This project: For my Daughters, A letter of Grace, is a series of letters I began writing to my daughters to speak words of hope, love, and grace in their lives as they grow and face the challenges life always presents. These words are an invitation to give yourself grace and to rest in the sweet embrace of God’s love for you. You see, we are all daughters who need to be reminded that we are seen, we are heard, we are loved, and we matter. It is an invitation to read my heart and I’d love to have you, my friends, along for the journey.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go: I will guide you with my eye upon you. -Psalm 32:8
My Dearest Daughter,
I wish you could see yourself from my point of view. I wish I could open your eyes to see through redemption’s lens. There is purpose in the living and the struggle. There is always hope, even when it feels as if it is hopeless, because the I AM is a greater than God. When you are feeling less than, remember that He is greater than anything you are tempted to believe about yourself; remember that truth is enough to light your path even when it looks dark.
I watch you close with an eye on who you were made to be. You were made in His image for an eternal purpose. All of your life is important to me… every sigh, every tear, every wish, every dream… they matter to me and to the One whose redemption was colored red, too. Remember there is power in the seeking, asking, and knocking on the door where grace leads. When you line these expressions of yourself up with the Father’s heart, His Word says it is His pleasure to say Yes and Amen to the petitions your prayers present. Approach the throne in boldness, daughter, because He waits for you to come close.
Sweet girl, sometimes your heart is fickle within. It tempts you to be lured by a dimmed light. It’s shine doesn’t come from the Father of Lights, but from the fabricator of lies. Truth will always lead you to God, especially when you are looking for acceptance. He is your portion, holding a cup of blessing and your future in His hands. The world’s way leaves you starving and hungry, never fully fed; but God leads us differently. You don’t have to be the best, run the fastest, have the most friends, ace every test, be perfectly placed, or wear the always smile to gain His attention and love. Instead, seek to be like Him, learning His ways and taught by His Spirit. Rather than puffed up pride that the world gauges unfairly, choose grace dear one… for yourself and for others. Humility is a mantle you can wear, that doesn’t mean you are incapable but it says that I Am is all I need to rely upon.
And daughter, when your heart weeps because you are so close to these temporal desires that take you away from the One who loves you deep, know there is always a way back to grace’s embrace. As a parent, I have seen these journeys, too. Some I have walked, and others will be new for me as I watch you place one foot in front of the other. I will be praying for you, but did you know that Jesus intercedes for you , too? He has placed heaven’s angels over you to keep you in all your ways.
Some of the promises He has hidden for you in His Word are the pieces of hope you will need to pack in your traveling bag wherever you go.
- You are loved and valued beyond measure ,He rejoices over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17)
- You are seen by the Holy one, He calls you His own.(Is. 43:1, Gal.6:11)
- You are talented and full of potential, He fills you with His own Spirit.(Col. 1:9)
- Your future is promising, He is the author and finisher of our faith journey.(Heb. 12:2)
Let’s take time together to wade in these promises of hope, to come close and swim into the deep swell of love that has been poured out for you. Come with me on this adventure of finding out just how wide this ocean of grace really is. As we explore the gifts left for you to discover, you will be changed from glory to glory and learn to recognize the enemy’s tactics, thwart the lies he whispers in the dark, and wield that spiritual sword of truth with strength and agility. Soon you will see that hope has always been nearby, and you can always reach for the life-preserver that has been placed within your grasp .
You will see that you have never once been alone.
A challenge to study God’s Word:
He penned a love letter to you, lots of precious words that tell you about His heart and His hope for your living. They are the connection we have to the Father, dear one, powerful and alive and able to bring death to life. Don’t hesitate to spend as much time as you can resting in their wisdom, it will be the best time you have ever spent.
I challenge you to look these scriptures up and write them down in a journal, with this letter. Spend more time with HIS Words than mine, daughter. Let it resonate in your heart. Meditate on the promises. Make them your own. Breathe deep of His love for you and know I am praying always, never ceasing.
Psalm 32:8, John 4:4, Psalm 139, Psalm 16:5, Romans 8:34, Isaiah 43:1, Galatians 6:11
Even though this is a series of letters to my daughters, a chance to say some of those things that are better read than said on certain days, it is my hope that you will be encouraged, uplifted and challenged to dig deeper into His Word as you study the promises that are waiting there for you.
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