Sunday Bible Study time
She will be 10 in less than a week. Her name is Megan and she is beautiful, creative, and very unique. Her individuality is not only a source of wonderment, but also a source of consternation for me as her mother.
For years I have tried to fit Megan into a mold of my own creation. In my head, I had a picture of who I wanted her to be…frills and lace, meekness and gentleness, a girly girl. When she was little, I was able to pour her into this mold with ease. As she aged, she hacked away at the mold and left me in pieces.
Slowly, God has opened my eyes to who this little girl truly is. He has put just the right people in my path to teach me that God doesn’t create cookie-cutter little girls any more than he creates cookie-cutter Christians (I Cor 12:15,16)
So, let me tell you a little bit about my precious daughter…who she really is.
She is a photographer.
Many of the photos you see on Raising Arrows were taken by her with a cheap, old digital camera. In fact, at the Savvy Blogging Summit this past summer, it was Megan’s photo that was featured and raved over during the photography session! Someday I hope to pull together the money to buy her a nice DSLR camera.
She is hot-blooded.
If I would let her, she would wear shorts in a snowstorm. We compromise. Shorts get packed away in the winter, flip flops get to stay in the closet. She’s not being defiant. She truly is hot…even in a snowstorm.
She is a writer.
She has a command of language and storyline I have never seen in a child her age. She is a million times better at writing than I was at her age. The emotions she is unable to bring to the surface in front of others finds voice in pencil lead and notebook paper.
She hates skirts.
They are very uncomfortable to her and she cannot concentrate on anything else but how uncomfortable she is when she has one on. I have had to let go of MY need for her to wear a skirt. She is a beautiful, feminine young lady who is highly aware of what is modest versus what is immodest. I have learned to respect this and let go of expectations I do not even hold myself to.
She has a powerful personality.
Much of what makes her difficult also makes her courageous, bold, and beautiful. I pray daily that the Lord will focus her strengths on Him and hone her skills for His glory. She speaks the truth without fear. God will use her, but not necessarily in the way I had envisioned. It is important I guide and direct, but never stand in her path, because if I am standing in the way, she will not be able to fully focus on the Lord.
Each child God gives us is different. Some are more different than others. I do not know what God has in store for my sweet Meg, but as her mother it is my duty to teach her about the One who created her and bend her heart toward Him, rather than toward a mom-made mold.
Everyone should have a Megan. She has made me a better parent.
What a beautiful post, Amy! Your daughter sounds very precious.
And she sounds very talented too!
My daughter is also hot-blooded – she sweats non-stop, the poor thing. Does your daughter sweat a lot, or just *feel* hot??
She just feels hot. A lot of it is nervous system issues, but I figure it is who she is and if I felt that way all the time I wouldn’t want someone forcing me to wear socks and shoes. (However, I do NOT let her go in the snow in flip flops
)
So true…I have a boy-version. Skirts, of course, aren’t an issue
but I have been dealing with the issue of wanting him to fit my “brave boy” mold. Or at least the mold that will shape him into what I think certain circles will find most acceptable. I’m learning to let him be brave in ways that fit more naturally with how God has gifted him.
Love this post! How very sweet!
What a sweet post about a sweet girl. I have had to let go of a lot of thoughts on how my girl should and would be. But I am seeing what an amazing young lady that God gave me!
Merry Christmas!
I was a challenge to my mother because I’m not very much like her. She ultimately left me alone, and allowed my father to intervene in many cases (he and I are very much alike, and haven’t had a single fight in 15 years. I didn’t understand it, but it was what I needed. And she “cursed” me: “May you have a daughter JUST LIKE YOU!”
And I do.
That is a huge challenge to me, too, because I understand her, but I am torn between what I see in her and what I desire her to be. I want her to be more obedient and I’d love to require it of her. But commanding her won’t do anything; she can talk her way out of anything. And she’s not quite 3! I’m learning it’s better to work WITH her and who she is rather than against her.
I do love discovering who my children are, rather than trying to expect them to be any particular way. It’s so exciting to me. Frustrating, at times, of course! But, so fascinating to see who the Lord has given me. And I know He has given me the perfect children, for ME. I look at others’ children and think, about certain traits, “That’s just annoying, I couldn’t deal with that” but the Lord didn’t give me that child for a reason. He gives us what we need, not what we want.
So excellent that you are appreciating and loving your daughter! And the Lord will make up for all your shortcomings. Somedays, I’m REALLY counting on that…lol.
lol! When I saw the title of your post, I thought that you were going to reveal the name of the buffalo!!! ha!ha!
Anyway, what a beautiful tribute to your daughter. These precious children are those who make us better parents. (I found Sam outside in short sleeves with no coat when it was 24 degrees outside just this past weekend. He said, “WHAT?! This is perfect weather!”)
What an awesome tribute to a wonderful young lady! Definitely a post to print off and save for her to read when she has those down-on-herself moments that we all have! Happy (almost!) Birthday, Megan!
Thanks for giving us a highlight of Megan, how special.
Lovely. I think my little girl is like that. I pray that I can teach her and guide her without standing in her way, and I look forward to seeing more of how God has made her.
Thanks for the beautiful reminder that our children are not what we hope they are but who God created them to be!
What a sweet post! It makes me rejoice in God’s unique design for each of His children, and it makes me look forward to “getting to know” my children further as they continue to grow into the people God has made them to be.
Thanks for sharing, and happy birthday to Megan!
What a great post Amy. I read all the time but comment little. Not sure if you recall the emails we sent back and forth over a year ago I believe. My son fits here too in so many ways.
Still can’t get him to wear anything but shorts and t-shirts in winter. Silly things to battle over for sure.
Blessings and wisdom to you
Yes, I absolutely do remember. There is so much more to all this, but it doesn’t change how I should react.
I have a Megan too!!! My daughter Hannah is 7 and HATES dresses, loves guns and hunting, would rather eat dirt than wear hair “pretties” and is HOT even in a Michigan snowstorm. For years I tried to coax her into girly things only to drive us both nuts
Instead I have discovered that she is the most creative, spiritually sensitive person I have ever met. The way God created her is WAY better than how I tried to shape her!!!!!