I watch her.
With her eyes shut tight, hands raised high in the air-her whole body swaying to the music—and I can’t help but stare. I watch as those words of praise move her…as the lyrics she’s singing are used to worship her heavenly Father.
And she loves Him. So much.
I observe this daughter of mine and can’t help but study her sweet face as she prays…as she exhibits this uninhibited, amazing love for the Lord. It’s an outward devotion she regularly displays. And I can’t help but think that no matter how badly I mess up as a mom in my daily attempts, somehow, I got this right. Because this daughter of mine? Her beautiful, unwavering faith is everything. This relationship she’s formed with the Lord? She’s already well aware it’ll carry her through the toughest of times, the hardest of trials, and yes, even the seemingly impossible. Somehow, she gets it. At the tender age of eleven, this child I’ve been blessed to carry, raise, and to know understands deep within her heart the most important lesson yet: this life—her life—is to be lived for Him. For His glory.
And it brings me to tears. As I see her arms outstretched in praise. It tears at my heart. See, at her age, I hadn’t a clue. At her age, my faith was non-existent, just as my opinions were dictated by the world around me. My desires in life had nothing to do with Him. I kept my distance from the Lord and ignored His cues. The life I was living was all about me, the things I wanted to do, the fun I desired to have. God wasn’t in the picture.
And I suffered. I wandered. I was lost for a very long time.
In fact it took years (thirty of them to be exact), before I would understand what she already knows…what she already gets. Thirty years, plenty of hardship, too many trials to count, and a life in desperate need of repair before I finally got it. Before I made the decision to seek Him…His Word…His love.
So, as I watch her move with that music, unafraid of the message she’s singing, the words she’s crooning, this Jesus she loves, I do so in admiration. Not for what I’ve done. Not for the prayers we’ve said together, or the acts of service we’ve participated in. No, I’m grateful for the gift of faith the Lord’s given her. I can’t help but ooze gratitude for the blessing of watching her grow, for the spiritual truths she’s keenly aware of, and for the path she’s treading.
And I can’t help but offer praise, and to thank God for this girl…for her wisdom…for her devotion. This beautiful soul? This sweet daughter of mine? This prayer warrior I’m raising?
She. Gets. It.
She’s on fire for the Lord.
She’s already so much wiser than me.
And that’s all this mama could ever want or ask for.
Jenny Lee Sulpizio is a Christian mom, wife, author of the recently released, For the Love of God: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Faith and Getting Grace. She and her husband Michael reside in the uber warm state of Arizona with their three children. Connect with Jenny online by visiting her website: www.jennyleesulpizio.com
Jenny has a brand new book out today! Watch this!
WILL YOU STAND IN THE GAP AND MINISTER TO THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO DISCOVER GOD’s GRACE, FORGIVENESS, & LOVE?
Each one of us knows someone in desperate need of the grace and freedom found in a relationship with Jesus.
Someone who needs her fears recognized, her questions answered, and her disbelief turned on its head in light of the Truth. Because it’s time, isn’t it? Time for you and I to reach out. To lead. To do more. It’s time to encourage a world that’s willingly ignored God, to start embracing Him instead.
In For the Love of God, Jenny Lee Sulpizio invites her readers to silence those doubts, experience God’s grace, and breathe in the unconditional love they were always meant to know. It’s a guide for women unsure of their Creator, in search of answers, and interested in pursuing a genuine relationship with the Lord. Because this walk with God — this journey with Jesus? It’s about to change everything.
Join us in this movement, friends. Together, we can impact this world for Him. #IAMHIS #GODSGIRL
Giveaway: Today we are giving away a copy of Jenny’s newest book “For the Love of God”. To win, leave a comment telling us whose faith inspires you. Also, share on Social Media and come back and give yourself another comment for each share. Giveaway is for US or Canadian Residents only and will end on Sunday November 16. Winner will be notified by email. Here are a couple of suggested ideas for sharing the book:
Tweet: My sisters, God loves you…unconditionally and for always. #Godsgirl #IamHis
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23 Comments
I LOVE this article. My daughter is like this, also. She teaches me most times, instead of the other way around.
Thanks for the article and the chance to win the book!
I share these same sentiments about my own daughter. She is 11 and has a boldness about her faith that comes so naturally to her and that I have to strive and work towards daily. She love the Word and just wants to sit a Jesus’ feet. At 9 she had read through the Bible, front to back. At 10 she was doing her own morning quiet times and began leading worship in our children’s ministry. She just gets IT!
My granny was in all she did she showed the love of Jesus
Both of my grandfathers were baptist preachers. I had such a great lineage and family values to look up to. Now that they’re gone, it’s up to my parents and my husband and I to fill in that role.
Oh, so many people!…probably my mom most of all.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/iamjoymoy/status/532248415824908288
Pinned https://www.pinterest.com/pin/24699497932217264/
My great grandmother, definitely. She had a selfless heart and spirit that came directly from her faith.
Shared on Facebook.
My father’s faith inspires me. Through the toughest times, you will hear him say, “God is good. He’s always good” and mean it. To live every moment knowing that no matter the circumstances that surround me my God is good is an awesome example for those around us.
Thank you for the chance to share and to be entered to win.
I didn’t grow up in a Christian family. But God has been using a lot of believers in my life to inspire my life since I was in collage until now. Thankful for each of them.
I tweeted it
https://twitter.com/helengullett/status/532319646263697408
And I pinned it…
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/131730357826499850/
My oldest daughter…19…first year at college. She is deeply rooted and commented to me how hard college life and temptations would be if she wasn’t. She could use prayer for guidance. Not all her choices have been the wisest, but at least she’s honest and shares with me. Her faith amazes me.
I actually have 2 people who inspire me….my 2 daughters who are 9 and 7 years old. Their true honest child-like faith has me striving to be more like them and just love God unconditionally no matter where you are or who is around.
There are a lot and I am so thankful the Lord has allowed many wonderfully faithful people into my life! My mother is a beautiful example, along with my own girls.
pinned: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/208713763956961136/
Thanks so much for having me!!! Hugs.
Very touching post Jenny! God bless you! God bless your new book too! Such a great tool for ministry! thank you for writing it!
love, Hester
My oldest daughter and my father in law
My great grandma and a friend of mine are incredible women of faith.
I’ve always been inspired by my mother.
I’m definitely inspired by my mom’s faith, but also by my grandparents - faithful to God and each other for many years.