Spoiled is what you're supposed to be

Alexa,

Someone has to tell you this, so I may as well be the one. So here goes: you are spoiled.

But I want you to know that that is OK; in fact, that is the way it is supposed to be, the way God wants it to be. God delights in spoiling His children, as do your parents.

The problem is that being spoiled can lead to being a brat, and that's not the way it is supposed to be.

What is the difference between being spoiled and being a brat you ask. Simple: thankfulness. As you exerience the goodness of the heart of your mom and dad (and of God), you MUST be thankful...consciously, verbally, extravagantly thankful. Gratitude is one of the most powerful attitudes that you can develop.

Think about it. When you give someone a gift, or do them a favor, and they go out of their way to express their thankfulness and show their appreciation, what does it make you want to do? To help them or give to them again. BUT, if you give to someone and they take it for granted, how motivated are you to do it again? Not very.

SO, know you are spoiled and don't be ashamed of it -- be thankful for it. But never allow yourself to become a brat. (I actually believe that when we allow ourselves to become brats we tie the hands of God from blessing us -- after all, He doesn't want a bunch of brats for as His kids).

Changing....

Alexa....

Tonight I had the honor of changing your VERY poopy diaper. I won't take the time to describe it in detail, but just know that it was a work of art.

It also made me think about something........there are only two times in life when someone wears diapers: when they are very young and very old. I plan on living to be very old.

And remember - I changed your diaper when you needed it.

'Nough said.

What will the world be like....?

Alexa,

Your grandma and I just got to your house for Christmas week ... and it is so wonderful to see you. Everytime I see you after having been away from you for a few weeks, you seem to have changed so much. Needless to say, you just keep getting more and more beautiful (I can't wait to see how breathtaking you are when you actually get hair!).

Watching you change as time goes by makes me think of something else that continues to change with the passing of time: the world you live in.

In many ways, the world keeps progressing in very positive ways. Advances in communication, entertainment, technology, travel, etc, make the world a much better place to live. On the other hand, the world is also progressively moving in a negative direction: away from the character and nature of the God who created it.

As I think of you and your future, I can't help but wonder what the world will be like when you become a teenager, when you get married, when you have kids, and when you have grandkids.

Although I cannot predict with any sense of accuracy what the world will be like in those various seasons of your life, I can tell you that the more your life is connected to and anchored in the person of Jesus Christ, the more the world around you will make sense. He is the only one who is truly trustworthy and faithful, he will not let you down, and he will never deceive you.

Please stay close to him. Watch your mom and dad closely, and follow them as they live their lives in relationship with the person and truth of Jesus.

I love you.

Your first Christmas

Alexa,

Your first Christmas is just around the corner, and I can't wait to see you, and that reminds me of last Christmas, when I felt the same way, only different -for you were still warm in your mom's tummy.

You have brought a tremedous amount of joy since last Christmas, and our world would not been complete without you. So... I simply want to say thanks - for just being you.

I hope you realize that just the fact that "you are," brings us joy. You don't have to do anything or prove anything. Simply because you are you, the world is a better place.

Your value resides in who you are, and not in what you do.

Missing you...

Alexa,

You spent the day yesterday with Grandma Sherri and GreatGrandma Pat. You went shopping and out to eat (I think you went to Chic-fil-a). Your uncle Nik came by to see you also.

I miss you today as I was thinking about all the people who get to see you on a regular basis. I hope that none of them ever takes the privilege of seeing you regularly for granted.

Something I wanted you to know: I was reading in Genesis yesterday (I don't remember the chapter number at the moment) about Abraham and Sarah and Hagar (you will have to read the whole story to get the big picture). One thing stuck out to me. Hagar, a maidservant of Abraham/Sarah, had one of Abraham's kids and that caused problems and put her in a situation that she never asked to be in. She ends up running away to the desert, and there God comes to talk to her (again, read the story to get the details). After this experience, Hagar gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me."

I tell you this so that you will know that at any and every point and place in your life, God knows who you are, where you are, what you need and how to be there for you. Grandma Sherri would say it this way: "You are on God's radar screen."

So, even though I am separated across the state from you most of the time, God is right there with you -- and I know that he never takes you for granted.

P.S. I am coming to see you tomorrow....