Ode to My Daughter

In 1983, GOD blessed me with my first child ~

a daughter!

Of course her birth changed my life forever, in ways I could never have imagined. We named her Katherine Grace and she has indeed graced our lives.
Through the years, my heart has been
                                fiercely protective,
                                 overflowing with pride and
                                         needy for her love
                                                all at the same time!

The following is a free form poem I wrote to her
during her first year at college as she struggled with discerning God's will for her life...

There was a little girl with auburn tresses,
who blessed my life one September morn.
To say that I would never be the same is true...
because her arrival changed everything!

Her eyes were deep pools of the richest brown,
so I called her "chocolate pudding eyes."
And there swirled about her an aura
of independence and adventure,
for she was never clingy nor complacent.

Determination and loyalty
became her trademarks;
Analysis and interpretation her hobbies.
Though her beauty was natural and striking,
she was blind to it...
Until she let the Lord show her
how she pleased Him.

Devoted to the Word of God,
and intent on pursuing Christ ~
She felt keenly the evil of a culture
sold out to death.
Hopeful to make a difference,
she saw the challenges and wondered...

How would God use her in the future?
What path should she take?
Why couldn't she see the next step
and proceed with confidence?

When answers were only whispers
signaling her to wait,
She was tempted to despair, but...
"Trust and Obey, for there's no other way,
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

The process of trusting and walking by faith
was daunting;
Certainly she should take some action!
But gently, Jesus reassured her that all things
were under His control.

He was unfolding His plan at the appropriate time and my mother’s heart counseled:
“Hold tight, little one.
Don’t you fret.
For our loving Lord has heard your cries
and He will lead you ever so tenderly
in the way you should go.”

Only He knew that a young man of faith
was to burst into her life and that her future
would be quickly intertwined with his.

So, my prayer for her continues…
"Sweet Katie,
Let God’s Joy be your banner,
His peace be your rest ~
May His Light shine through you brightly,
And loving others, remain your quest."

******

If you are the mother of daughters or daughters-in-law, please share with us your insights and joys.