*Clomp clomp clomp clomp* “Look, mommy! I pretty just like you.”
Her tiny size 6 toddler feet were tucked into the toes of my sparkly flats. She had gone to my closet and pulled them all on her own. She was so proud of herself as she came clomping across the kitchen floor.
“See! I wear your shoes, momma! I just like you!”
*clomp clomp clomp clomp*
As I watched her carefully plod her way towards her bedroom, I stopped and prayed that I would never forget the importance of that moment.
I prayed that I would never forget how closely she watches me, how much she wants to be just like me, and the reality of how I will be responsible for what she thinks about herself.
That is why, my sweet girl, I promise to always remember your watchful eyes.
My sweet girl, I see you watching momma.
You watch me put on my make-up and ask to borrow the brush. You watch me paint on lipstick and want some for yourself. You watch me straighten, comb, and spray my hair and ask me to “make you pretty too.” You ask me to paint your “pony nails” (toe nails) red just like mommas.
I see you standing as my little shadow in my closet as I pick out what I will wear for the day. I see you watch me get on the scale and wait for my response. I see you pick up your pretty pink purse filled with toys before we leave the house so you can be just like me. I see you watching me.
That is why, my sweet girl, I promise to teach you how to be pretty like momma.
I will remember to respect myself. I am beautiful on days without make-up. I am beautiful without fixed hair. I am beautiful with chipped nail polish. I am beautiful no matter what the scale says. My sweet girl, I promise to know my own beauty… Because I will remember that my worth doesn’t come from my bathroom make-up drawer, but from the heart of God who calls me Daughter of the King.
I promise that you will not only watch me put on make-up, you will witness me pick up His Word and study it. You will watch me read to understand deeper the heart of God. You will hear me speak it. You will watch me live it.
I promise that you will see me DO God’s Word. You will see me love others selflessly. You will witness as I testify of the goodness of God in our lives. You will see me in times of brokenness on my knees before our King, and then you will watch as He comes valiantly as our redeemer and friend.
I will teach you how to love the Lord, and how to love others as yourself. I will take you with me to meet the needs of those we have never met…To take food to the hungry and to take clothes to the needy.
I will teach you about how to be beautiful my sweet girl.
I will teach you the importance of speaking life into every situation. I will remind you to only speak God’s truth about everyone you meet. You will watch me share the message of Jesus even when it is intimidating. You will witness boldness.
You will also watch me get it wrong. Then, I will show you that in an argument, the first one to the Cross wins. Take your arrogance/haughtiness/rightness and nail them there… You will watch me say I am sorry and ask for forgiveness. You will watch me accept God’s love and forgiveness for myself.
I will teach you about beauty my sweet girl and I promise to remember the importance of the day you put on momma’s shoes.
For as it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15
You are right my little love, you are pretty just like momma… not because of the shoes you wear, but because of the girl who wears the shoes.
