An Open Letter to My Child: It Won’t Be Easy

Dear child,

Don’t you see how much I love you? I would do anything for you, my love. You are the most precious part of life. I created you – I suffered for you – and it was worth every bit of pain to give life to you. It is my greatest treasure to watch you grow. And when you express your love for me, oh my…I can’t even begin to explain the way my heart feels in my chest. 

I want the world for you, and I’m doing my best to give it to you. I hate that it won’t be easy for you. Even though I want to protect you from pain and heartache, you learn best by experiencing – and you enjoy learning. I see it on your face. 

Reach for me. Lean on me. Ask me. I will share my wisdom and guide you. I want you to hold my hand. But what is your life if I do everything for you? To watch you discover and figure it out brings me great joy. Your purpose isn’t to know, but rather to enjoy the gift of the journey to figuring it out. I can’t give you all of the answers, but I can give you all of my love.

Love,
God

Becoming a parent has taught me a love like I’ve never known, and it’s changed my perspective over and over again (like when I missed my son’s first steps). My favorite way I’ve been changed: I have learned how much I am loved as a child of God through the process. It’s a humbling and inspiring awareness. When I start to be hard on myself, I remember that I would never be this hard on my son, and God is never this hard on his daughter. I’ve heard a lot of advice lately to talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend. So, how about we do that? What if we extended ourselves the same grace that we extend to our best friends and children? When we remember we are children ourselves, it changes everything.

How has becoming a parent changed your perspective? Comment or send me an e-mail to share!

Fruitfully,
Alyssa