I have two granddaughters … Sophia, 6 years old and Jocelyn, 2 1/2 years. I have so loved watching them as their parents work full time. They can tire me out like nobody’s business, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I noticed some interesting developments in recent days as Jocelyn discovered a toy which Sophia had always enjoyed. It is a small duck which plays a tune teaching the sounds of several different instruments. Hey, what else would you expect the children of a music teacher to play with! And I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.
I decided to write Sophia a letter…
Dear Sophia,
You are a first born in many ways. First child to Mommy and Daddy. First daughter. First grandchild. You came bursting into life, full if life. You have a personality bigger than your body and every inch of you filled with joy. You have made us laugh till our sides hurt.
So it is no wonder your sister loves you and looks up to you.
You came home from school the other to your sister playing with the duck. You kicked into play mode or maybe it was big sister mode. You picked up the duck to begin playing the varied sounds, marching around the family room with much enthusiasm.
Jocelyn took it all in and after a few minutes, began walking behind you – taking it all in.
The very next day, I caught Jocelyn in the act of imitating everything, much the same way she had seen you do. When I commented to her that she was just like you, she beamed.
Sophia, you are a first born, whom can often be described by adjectives such as bossy or born leader. They say people will follow a first born due to their domineering ways.
But, sweet girl, may you break that mold! May others follow you because you exude joy and delight with life. May they desire to be with you because of your creativity and excitement over life and the way it happens. May you learn to refrain from being bossy. May you come to learn, you have in you that which will draw others naturally. You will not need to be the boss; you will only need to show them the very things you delight in and have learned.
Keep learning, Sophia, embracing knowledge as you apply all that you learn. For only in application will you grow in depth of your knowledge of our God. Grow to be all He has created you to be for He makes no mistakes and does all things well.
Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today – yes, you – so you will trust in the Lord. (Proverbs 22: 17-19, NLT)
May you always be as kind as you are today – willing to help and share. May your heart be increasingly filled with compassion for those around you. May others know they are loved by God through you.
May you always know His deep love for you. And may you always know how much Mimi loves you. You have brought love and joy and laughter and delight in ways I never thought possible.
I love you more!
Mimi
xxx-ooo
Today I am joining with … Playdates with God and Unforced Rhythms and Sharing His Beauty and Mon. Musings and Inspire Me Mon. and Making Your Home Sing and Motivation Mon. .
Love the letter – so much of what I pray for my own Sophie (my first-born who is also 6 and a natural leader too!) How I’m working with her to channel those leadership qualities to lead from love and joy instead of that desire to control.
Kathryn, I love that you have Sophie! And it is so true that qualities which may be viewed as a negative can be channeled and become their strongest asset. May they both become leaders filled with love for others & be a joy to many!
What a sweet letter. I am so thankful for you to share with us. She is blessed to have you as her grandmother.
Thank you so much, Helen! I think the joy has been all mine. Truly!
Such a valuable letter that one day she will treasure so much! Thanks for letting us peek into it now.
I hope so, Lisa. My blog is truly what I hope will be a lasting testimony for my family of the thoughts I had while in the dailyness of life 🙂
Your letter to Sophia just blessed me so much. She is so precious and the picture of her in her school uniform…..wow. I agree with the prayer for her. I also pray that she will continue to grow in knowing Jesus loves her.
Yes, Mare, seeing her in her uniform this year made me realize how she is growing up. That and a first wiggly tooth 🙂 Thank you for agreeing in prayer!
Joanne….what a precious letter. I feel I got to know Sophia through every word. I also have a Sophia I love dearly and pray for. Thank you for sharing your prayer/love letter to Sophia at Monday’s Musings. Blessings.
How fun to learn you have a Sophia as well. May both girls grow up & pursue God all of their days! Blessings!
Such a beautiful letter, and the words and prayers embedded in the heart of it – from your heart – infinitely dear and perceptive. It’s a gift for us, small and big, to have people in our lives who see us as you see Sophia. Thank you for sharing this with Unforced Rhythms.
Amber, you make such an important point – we all want people to see & speak into our lives. Oh, that we would be faithful to those around us! I so appreciate you each week!