Letter to My Child

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!                         1John 3:1

I wish that you could see yourself through my eyes – just for one
minute.
          I wish that you could see your beauty, your value, and your
          worth.

I wish that you could feel the love and admiration that I have for
you.
          I wish that you could feel the joy that I feel when I see your
          picture pop up on my phone and hear your voice –
                    or see your name on my incoming list when I open
                    my e-mail.

I wish that you could hear yourself through my ears –
just one time.
          I wish that you could hear yourself laugh –
          from your head to your toe.
                    I wish you knew how that laugh always makes
                    me happy – no matter what kind of mood I’m in.

I wish that you could hear yourself talk.
          I wish that you could hear your common sense in working
          through a situation.
                    I wish that you could realize how that common sense
                    sets me straight.

I wish you could feel the confidence it gives me to talk through a
problem with you.
          I wish that you could hear yourself when you are telling
          a story.
                    I wish that you could feel the joy about yourself that I
                    feel when I hear you tell a funny story
                             or the heartbreak that I feel
                             when I hear your grief.

I wish that you could feel the confidence that I have about you –
just for a day.
          I wish that you knew how I rely on you for guidance
          in my life.
                    I wish you knew how I can’t wait to call you when
                    I feel blue or weak, or low in my faith –
                    because I know that you can make sense of my
                    muddled mind and set me straight.
                              I wish that you could stand outside of yourself
                              and see how strong those around you think
                              you are.
                                        I wish that you could feel that strength
                                        about yourself – just for a day.

I wish that you could see your friendship through my eyes –
just for a day.
          I wish that you knew how much I rely on that friendship
          to keep me going.
                    I wish you could see the value of that friendship.
                              I wish that you could see how fortunate
                              I feel that you are my friend.
                                        I wish that you could feel my pride
                                        that you are my child – just for a minute.

I wish that you could hear me talking about you to my friends –
          about your beauty,
                    your drive,
                              your intelligence,
          your love for those who have less than you,
                    your passion for the differently-abled,
                                your love for animals,
                                          your love for family,
          your strength for survival,
                    your values,
                              your spirit,
                                        your sense of humor,
          your gift of organization,
                     your gift of writing,
                               your love of God,
                                          your faith,
          your devotion to family and friends.

I wish that you could feel my pride when you stand up for what
you believe.
          I wish you could feel my pride when you work with those
          who aren’t as fortunate as you are.
                    Those who don’t have strong bodies or strong minds.
                              I wish you knew how that inspires me.
                     I wish you knew how I want to grab hold of your
                     strength.
                              I wish you knew how I admire you.

I wish that I could help you see yourself as you really are –
just for an instant.
          You would see your beauty from your head to your toe,
          from the inside out.
                     If you could see yourself as I see you, that would be
                     enough to never allow you to doubt your beauty again –
                     ever.
                               The world would shine like diamonds forever –
                                if you could see your beauty through my eyes –
                                just for a minute.

I wish that you could hear my heart when I think of you -
just for a minute.
          You would never again hear such a wonderful sound.

I wish that you could feel the confidence about yourself that I feel
about you – just for a moment.
          That would be enough for you to conquer the world –
          for yourself and for everyone you love.

I wish that you could love yourself like I love you –
just for a moment.
          That would be enough to last you a lifetime –
          I love you that much.

I wish that I could help you see your value.
          I wish that I could help you could love yourself like
          I love you.
                    Because I do love you so very much -
I love you more than I love to breathe.
          And I know that even though my heart could burst
          because of how much I love you today
                    I’ll love you even more tomorrow.

Lord, is this how you love me?  As a parent loves a child – but many times more.  Is this how you want me to see myself, Lord?  As I see my child.   Is this how proud you are of me, Lord?  As proud as I am of my child.  Help me Lord to love myself, to find my gifts, and to use them to serve you proudly.
         
 Lord let me see myself through your eyes –
           just for a minute.
                Amen.