Raising Royalty

From an early age I was taught that I was a "princess". Not in the "wear a crown and have your own way" sense, but in the Princess of the King sense.

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."

Romans 8:16-17a

 

It didn't sink in until I was older what that meant. It means that I am cherished and beautiful and priceless in the eyes of my Savior. He made me with purpose. He desires that I glorify Him in all that I do and that I love others into the Kingdom. Just as any princess, I have a great task before me, none of which I go about alone. Just as the King reigns His Kingdom, so does He reign my heart.

 

"Hanki Doll"

These truths have been at the forefront of my mind since last week. I received a pretty package in the mail (I do love brown paper packages tied up with strings...or in this case, a pink bow.) I opened the box to reveal its contents. Inside I found an adorable little hat, a beautiful gift for G and a card that still brings tears to my eyes.

 

G wearing her new hat

These precious gifts were sent to us by our dear friend, Kelly. Our friendship began the summer of 2004. I answered God's call to work at a Christian camp tucked in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. At the time, Kelly and her husband were part of the management staff of the camp. I adored Kelly's up beat personality and her love for the Lord was contagious. She shared many God given gifts and talents with me over that summer, but the most important one that she shared was that of her daughter, Sarah Ann. Talk about a beautiful little girl. She had "God's Masterpiece" written all over her. To look at her sparsely toothed grin and her glittery eyes, you'd think she was just like any other little one. Unfortunately, Sarah Ann was battling cancer. At just 10 months old she was diagnosed and spent the next year battling the earthly fight. I watched through pictures as she grew bigger and more beautiful, but weaker as the months went by.

 

In January 2005, I received the call saying that Sarah Ann had gone Home. A beautiful princess went to be with her King. I remember answering the phone, but could not tell you who called. I remember sitting in the living room chair and crying, grateful that her fight had ended but devastated over her family's loss. The tears were, and still are bittersweet. I remain in awe at how such a little life could touch the world in so many ways. Her legacy lives on through her family as they continue to use their testimonies that were furthered by her life.

 

She also left her mark on us. C and I knew she was the one we wanted to be our flower girl, and when the time to nail down details for the wedding came to pass, we knew that there was not a one that we would rather have in her place. We decided not to have a flower girl, but instead honor her memory on our wedding day. That picture still remains framed and sits prominently on our bookshelf next to one of our favorite pictures of G.

 

 

I write all of this because, as I've reflected on the  amount of love and commitment that her family poured into her in just a short time here, I, too, long to provide the same for my daughter. On February 19th, G turned 10 months old. What would I do if I received that kind of news at her tender age?  I've learned, among many things, that one of the most powerful things about the love we have for our children is the part of that love that allows us to let them go. I'm reminded that our children are entrusted to us, not for keeps, but to grow them up as fruitful, loving, passionate victors for Christ.

G loves playing with her "hanki doll"

 

As G grows, it is my #1 goal to raise her to love the Lord. I want her to want to know Him. I want her to rest in His presence and live undoubtedly loved. As Kelly and her husband continue to raise their two boys, I remain in awe of their courage, faith and dedication to His service.

 

It's hard to believe that Sarah Ann has been dancing on the streets of gold for 9 years now. How amazing that must be. I imagine her painting pictures and hanging them up for all to see. I imagine her singing the songs of praise taught to her by her parents. I know that she is in good hands and those same hands are the ones that continue to guide us here. Those are the same hands that cradle and protect our daughter as she grows in this sin laden world. For that I rejoice. For Sarah Ann's life and her home with Jesus, I rejoice.

 

The other day, Kelly posted this verse:

 

 

May we never forget to live in this way. I pray that you will hold your little ones a little longer and seek to raise them in a way that will honor the Lord. Teach them to love the Lord, love others, and love themselves...we are in fact raising royalty.
 

 

To learn more about the life of Sarah Ann and her family's testimony, please visit their Family Web Page. God is good and His love is a priceless gift that we can pass down to our children. It is the greatest gift we can give.