More From Kristen Lowe

When my daughter was born, I remember looking into her eyes and thinking that no one prepared me for this!  I wanted to be a good mother.  From the time I found out I was pregnant, and still today, I've prayed a short prayer; "God, help my daughter grow in grace and wisdom."  Some days have been more grace-filled and wise than others.  As I was writing my meditation for today, I thought about the prayer I've been praying for the past 15 years.  My daughter is now 14 and some days it's really hard.  I have now started to pray not only for her, but for myself.  "God, help ME to grow in grace and wisdom." I need grace and I need wisdom to be a good parent.  I have to make decisions all the time that will impact my daughter throughout her life.  I have to think about how I respond to her poor choices.  I have to discern when she is really sick or when she just doesn't want to go to school.  I have to practice being completely present for her no matter how busy my day is so that she knows she's important.  

I think parenthood gives us an amazing perspective of God's relationship with us.  God wants us to grow in grace and wisdom.  God shows us opportunities, challenges, and lessons hoping that we will always trust God and grow from each situation.  I think that God's heart hurts when we hurt and leaps when we experience joy.    

I'm surprised that at 14 years old, my daughter still lets me pray with her at night and put kisses in the palms of her hands.  I'll take what I can get.  My hope is that when she's grown up and off on her own and when I'm no longer here to do that for her, she will feel God's presence in the same way.  I hope she will always have that secure connection with God.  

Today I pray for her, for myself, and also for you, that we all grow in grace and wisdom.

Kristen's blog can be found at https://www.coffeepastor.net/.