A Deeper Life: A Letter to My One Year Old

My Dearest Sweet Pea,

It has been but a short year since I went to the hospital with contractions, knowing that you were just hours away.

I woke your daddy up around 1:00 in the morning, saying that you were on your way. The famous words, "It's time" were spoken and we headed to the hospital, checking in around 2:00.

From that moment on, we knew we were just hours away from having you, sweet girl. That was the most relaxing time in my life. I was comfortable. Cozy. Relaxed. And in fervent prayer for the baby that I was about to hold in my arms.

Oh, Lucy Love, your daddy and I prayed for you throughout my whole pregnancy with you, and well before that as well. You were showered in prayer by everyone who knows me and your daddy. I was even anointed with oil while you were in my tummy. What a blessed little baby you are.

You were born at 12:53 PM at 6 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 and 1/4 inches long. Perfection. Pure perfection.

Those first few weeks, all you did was sleep.

And cuddle.

And smile.

And cry and potty. And all the rest of that baby stuff. It was exhausting, but so great!

1 month old

Lucy, since that first, glorious day, you have brought joy into our lives. You have restored our view of what a miracle really is.

Every baby is a miracle. A beautiful, perfect, God-given miracle. And I am honored to deliver one.

Speaking of honor, it has been my utmost honor to be your mama for the past year.

2 months old

Never have I learned so much about being selfless, loving unconditionally, praying intensely, practicing patience, enduring sleepless nights, and simply discovering a passion within me that I never knew I had.

3 months old

I always knew I wanted to be a mama, but I never knew I'd love it this much!

This has been the best job ever, and you have been the most incredible baby imaginable!

I love being your mommy!

4 months old

I have loved watching you grow. I've loved watching you learn. I've loved watching you smile and laugh. I've loved watching you play and experiment. I've loved watching you observe. I've loved watching you dance and wiggle. I've loved watching you crawl and learn how to move. I've loved watching you talk and have in depth conversations with yourself and others. I've loved watching your expressions. I've loved when you follow me from room to room, crawling like machine! I've loved watching you develop.

5 months old

I just love you, my sweet angel. That's all there is to it.

I have also loved watching your daddy become a daddy.

You can't fully grasp this yet, but he is an incredible daddy and loves you so so very much! He and I have grown closer since you've been here. We have developed a stronger love for each other since being your parents. You two have your own little games and jokes that you like to do together. I pray that you and your daddy are as close as me and my daddy were and still are. It's such a gift!

We love taking you places, and showing you off to friends and family. We're pretty proud of you, my dear.

It's amazing how quickly one feels like a parent. I felt like a mom the second I found out I was pregnant! I was ready to know you and ready to love you, and I am so thankful that the Lord put that mama spirit inside of me because I love having this job!

Lucy, in your first year, you have been to Tulsa, Memphis, Houston, Boston, Decatur, Hanover, Lafayette, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Siloam Springs. I may even be missing a few cities! Consider those trips the first of many in your future! You'll be a traveling little girl and I know you'll love it. Your daddy and I have been fortunate enough to travel to gorgeous parts of the world, and we hope to take you along with us as well.

Sweet Lucy, not only have I prayed in general for you, but I've prayed very specifically for you as well over these past 12 months.

Most of all, I've prayed for salvation. I've prayed that you will come to know the Lord personally. I've prayed that you will learn to love Him as your personal Lord and Savior so that you can spend eternity with Jesus Christ in Heaven. That's my biggest prayer for you, my darling girl.

I've prayed that you will learn to love. Love God. Love others. Love yourself.

I've prayed that you will be a woman of integrity. Being honest is so important, and I hope you value your integrity.

I've prayed that you will have a yearning for God's Word. I've gone through hills and valleys, but right now I'm definitely on a hill of really loving to read God's word. There is so much good stuff in the Bible, and I hope that you have a desire to fill your mind and heart with scripture.

I've prayed that you'll be respectful. Have respect for authority. For others. For yourself.

I've prayed that you will have a high self esteem. I pray that you'll have a strong realization that you are God's workmanship, created in Jesus.

I've prayed that you'll have a heart for the nations. Whether that means across the ocean or right next door, I pray that you see a need for Christ in everyone. I pray that you have Christ overflowing so much in your heart that you simply HAVE to share Him with the world!

I pray that you are thankful. You already have so much to be thankful for, and I hope you realize it one day.

6 months old

I pray that you have a heart to serve. Not only to help mommy and daddy around the house, but I hope and pray that you have a servant's heart to help those around you.

Sweet girl, I have prayed for purity. Lord Jesus, please keep my lily white baby pure. Please let her see how important her purity is for her future husband.

I have prayed that my girl will have courage. This is not a kind world, and I pray that she is strong and courageous against people who may want to bring her down.

I pray that you are kind. Your Nana Lana has always told me to kill others with kindness, and I have the same prayer for you.

I pray for joy. You're such a happy baby right now, but more importantly, I pray that you are a joyful little girl, and that you find your joy in Christ.

7 months old

I pray that you are content in all situations in life. You won't always like where you are, but sweet Lucy, I have prayed that you will find contentment and look for the good in your life.

I pray that you are a woman of prayer. I fully believe in the power of prayer, and I hope that you see the power behind it as well. Be a prayer warrior, sweet beloved.

8 months old

Lucy, I pray that you have compassion for others. Having compassion will make you a good friend and wife one day, and I pray that you see the importance in having compassion for those you love.

I've prayed that you practice humility. You are nothing without Christ, and I pray that you seek your identity in Him, practicing humility along the way.

9 months old

I pray that you are a good friend. Having friends is so important in life. They will lift you up and be there for you when you need it! Be a good friend, sweet girl.

10 months old

I've prayed the fruit of the spirit over you. Be loving and joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and have self control. I pray that when you come to know the Lord that you will discover the fruit of the spirit and learn how to incorporate them in your life as a woman of Christ.