Last night was the 8th grade blessing. It was a powerful evening with many words of love and encouragement said to these kids. Each family read words of blessing over their child and here is what I read to Lucy.
Dear beautiful and precious Lucy,
You are the fourth child in a very busy family. We were busy but never too busy to be with you. Corey, Drew and Mary Kate loved you so intensely. They couldn’t wait for your birth and after you were born they were right beside you every waking moment. Mary Kate even wanted to move into your room so that she could be with you more. I knew that you were my last baby and I wanted to hang onto every baby moment for as long as I could. I wasn’t very generous about letting others hold you because I wanted to and at home Corey, Drew and Mary Kate hardly gave me a moment alone with you. You were a mama’s girl and you loved for me to sing to you and as soon as you could make sounds you tried to sing along with me.
As a toddler you were very friendly and would approach anyone about the same height as you and say, “Friend? Name?” You were entertaining and yet so very thoughtful. Once when I put in time out on the front stoop, I told you to sit there and think about what you had done and you sat with your chin on your little fist saying over and over again…hmmm, hmmm?...like you were thinking. So funny that I had to turn away to keep from you seeing me laughing.
Our church was in the midst of much discussion about the role of women but you were only three years old and I didn’t think that you had even thought about what was happening around you but I was wrong…at least on some level. We were riding in the car and you were in the back in your carseat and you starting singing the song God is Love. But you started hesitating with every line and changing the words…here is your version….
At night as I lay on my pillow
I think of the grandma above
I know that she cares for me all through the night
For I am a girl of her love
God is love, God is love…
Of course, you know that I was thrilled and drove with tears streaming down and a smile on my face.
Elementary school was so much fun for you. You are smart and good with people and other parents told their kids to hang with you and you would make everything alright. You were so tiny and yet so strong. The smallest in your class and yet the biggest kids would stand behind you when they were afraid of the teacher….a little girl with a big personality. Your elementary school had an art program that was sponsored by The National Gallery of Art. You had to paint a copy of a master’s work and research the artist and then make a presentation in the National Gallery in front of that work with your work on an easel beside it. Most of the children read with their heads down and no expression but not you. You drew a crowd as soon as you opened your mouth…a tiny girl in a fuzzy dress and crazy printed tights and bright red boots and you started with a big voice saying, “Now let me tell about you an artist.” with your finger in the air and your head tilted to the side. We heard people in the crowd asking who you were. Like I said…a tiny girl with a big personality.
That friendly personality has served you well in our move in Texas. You made friends immediately and those friends have been chosen wisely. I am amazed at your adjustment to Texas and a new school. I know that you will always avoid being called a Texan but Texas has made a mark on you and more importantly you have made a mark on Texas. I know that middle school can be a confusing time but you have navigated with grace and wisdom.
You are a smart girl but we knew that from the very beginning. At three years old you came into the kitchen and asked me what kind of things are made up of molecules? I told you that everything was and you just said okay and walked out. Later that day in the car you proceeded to tell me that things like rocks and steel have molecules that are close together and that is why they are hard and things like water and air have molecules that are far apart and that is why they can move. I knew that we were in trouble. You have continued to make us marvel at how your brain works…that is sometimes good and sometimes bad.
I am so excited to see the rest of your life. I don’t expect perfection but I do know that your journey will be fascinating and will keep us wondering about what is around the next corner. I have a feeling that high school will be a fun ride with you. I want you to head into high school with the confidence that you have entered every new situation your whole life. I don’t mean that you can’t be afraid or apprehensive. You need to allow yourself those emotions. I want you to become involved in school in those areas that you are gifted in but also to branch out and try new things. I love seeing you read everything you can get your hands on….keep reading. Keep thinking and keep causing the people around to think. But also just have fun and make lots of friends from all walks of life. But please leave time with me and your dad. I know that we can be annoying and you are now home alone with us but we love you intensely and are enjoying our time alone with you.
There is one thing that I wish the most for you…to love Jesus with all of your being and to feel the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life and to acknowledge Jesus as your savior. I want at some point for you to dive into the waters of baptism with abandon. I already know that you will ponder those choices but on this one I want you to follow with your heart and continue for your whole life to allow your heart to be guided by the Spirit. I know that you are compassionate and kind and full of life and all of those things will grow deeper and deeper as you walk with Jesus. I am excited to see that transformation on this journey. Know that I will walk this journey with you. Know that there will be times that making the right choice will not be easy but you have so many people on your side and so many that will be willing to talk and walk with you and a great big God who is there even more than your mom.
I want to end with these words from II Timothy
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord…who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel….Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”
“That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith- and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Dean to your mother Julie, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master…Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus. So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us…Throw yourself into this work for Christ.”
