Beauty

Katie's  post on happykiddo has prompted me to finally complete this post and publish it. I completely agree with Katie, "hoochie-mamma" (my words) clothing for little girls is simply unacceptable. And now, for my post:

Ella lay sleeping so sweetly in my arms, I couldn't help but ooh and ahh over her, and whisper to her that she's the most beautiful child on Earth.

It struck me that I've gone on and on about her appearance. While it's true (not just a proud grandma talking) that she's an exceptionally stunning creature, I realized that I don't do her any service to constantly compliment her appearance. Appearance is fleeting, and even the most "beautiful" people will eventually wrinkle and sag with age - or end up looking totally ghastly due to overdone plastic surgery. I want Ella to know that our love isn't about her looks.

Even our accolades about her obviously superior intelligence aren't doing her any favors, because our love has nothing to do with her IQ, or her future accomplishments. Our love is about her- no matter her height, weight, hair color, skin color, how early she talks and walks, what she decides her favorite color is or her favorite food, or any of the rest of it. She is a precious gift straight from God, and we mustn't lose sight of that.

Instead, I've been praying for the attributes that God would like to see in her, those qualities He longs to see in us all. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but some of the first things that come to mind as I pray for Ella:

Father God, I pray that our precious Ella would be kind and generous. Help her to see people and their situations from Your point of view. May she have the gift of forgiveness, and the ability to let go of anger. Grant her understanding and wisdom. May she not only recognize, but give thanks for Your many  blessings. May she be willing to stand courageous for what is right, yet speak the Truth in love. I pray that she will be filled with faith, hope, and unconditional love. Thank you for loving Ella, even more than we do (one of Your greatest mysteries.)      Amen