(Written for my daughters and sons-in-law as they undertake parenting)
Your parenting journey is about to begin, a journey that is unlike any other.
It’s exciting and so rewarding, but also difficult and scary.
It brings moments of joy and laughter, but also moments of pain and tears.
It comes with sleepless nights and busy days,
And hundreds of opportunities to learn and grow and become.
So, as you embark on this expedition, may you be open to all it has to offer you.
May you live each day being present to the moment.
May you learn what it means to pray without ceasing.
May you find connectedness and meaning.
And may you discover a deeper Love than you ever have before.
My prayer for you is that you will help this little one to see beauty in this world:
To notice the colors,
To feel the textures,
To appreciate the smells,
And to embrace the feelings.
May you encourage your child to experience life at its fullest:
Let him run to the edge of the view,
Let her hug the softness of a cloud,
Let him touch the coolness of a stream,
And let her dance in a rainbow.
May you motivate this one entrusted to your care to live life in balance:
Instruct but with gentleness.
Protect but don’t suffocate.
Put band-aids on wounds but remove them when no longer needed.
Hold tight when comfort is needed but teach them to walk on their own.
May you provide for your child in amazing ways:
Feed her what she needs and what she loves.
Clothe him with garments and with grace.
Put a roof over her head and roots under his feet.
Hold his hand and hold her heart.
May you inspire this young one and let her inspire you:
Answer his questions and let him answer yours.
Let her work beside you and eventually ahead of you.
Pull him into the middle of your circle and let her pull you into his.
Teach her how to wonder and let him teach you how to play.
May you never give up when the going gets tough:
When he goes in a direction you’re unsure of, let him climb out of the box of your expectations.
When her behaviors cause you to frown, figure out what she’s trying to say.
When he falls flat on his face, be okay with failure.
And when she reaches out for you, never turn your back or walk away.
And most of all, may you be a safe place for this young one to land:
A place of rest and reassurance and relaxation,
A secure place to discover the unique person God created them to be.
And may your home be full of warmth and music and kindness,
A place where this one always knows how deeply they are loved by you, by their family, and by God.
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