“Mama, here’s your pink girl!” she announces as she runs towards me and hugs me, all cozy in pink pajamas, pink tutu and pink socks. I have to pinch myself to remember that she is turning 4 and not 14 because her ownership of life surpasses her young age. She doesn’t question her decisions, never second guesses her desires. She floats and twirls through her day: thumb in mouth, fingers twirling her hair, her pink tutu emphasizing every step she takes.

I wonder about this girl. She is perhaps the one who has challenged me the most in being authentic as a mom because she has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I have attempted to adjust to her personality in an effort to appease her need for adventure and intrigue only to discover that what makes her the most content is for me to be me. But I’m learning that there is a lot of untapped adventure and imagination in me that she is drawing out by just being herself. It’s a wonderful dance.

I adore this girl. She is fervent about living, undaunted by what most would find uncomfortable: a frigid bath, spicy food, loving onions, playing in winter weather while wearing summer clothes and playing in summer weather while wearing winter clothes, twirling until she is dizzy, being thrown as high as her Poppa can send her, jumping until she is breathless, hanging upside down as long as she can, dancing and dancing and dancing. She is drawn to the challenge and if life doesn’t offer one, she will create her own.

I pray for this girl: that she will dance and twirl through life, content in who God has designed her to be; that she will be undaunted by the darkness of this world and will seize the challenge of shining Christ’s light wherever she goes; that she will find living for Jesus to be all the adventure her heart craves and that winning souls for His kingdom will be her greatest thrill.

Happy 4th birthday my darling Girl. May the melody of joy be forever fervent in your heart.