Endearing

I am reading through a devotional book called "Out of the Spin Cycle" by Jen Hatmaker. It's been a wonderful way to turn my focus to the Lord and His ways every day. If you are a young mom and on my Christmas shopping list then you can expect to be receiving one soon. :)

Today I read the devotion "Today is Tomorrows Yesterday." She is bringing back the focus to today and away from the typical, "I can't wait until __________." At the end she asks, "What is the most endearing about the stage your child is in?" So here goes:

Gracie is almost two. In 20 days she will be my 2-year old. No more months. Just years. So far every stage has been my favorite (well, maybe not the middle of the night feeding stage but I've almost forgotten that already).

Right now she is talking a lot. She is forming little sentences and phrases. Only they come out slow because it's very new for her. She says, "Apple.........juice" and "yes............mommy." I want to stop and say, "Wait for it, wait for it" every time she starts the phrase. She's asking questions like, "daddy, go?" and "more, plane?" Inflection in a two year olds voice has got to be something the angels created. It just sounds so sweet. "gacie, too!"

She's also started singing. It started with the cleanup song and last night as we were getting ready for bed she sang Jesus Loves Me with us. She didn't just listen she sang! It only ended up being every fourth word or so but it was sweeter than honey to my ears. Maybe hearing your children sing is just a little glimpse of what God must hear when we are lifting praises to Him.

She has joy. That might be what endears me most to this stage of her life. She has joy the likes of which we should all have. And I think it's for the same reason. I think she knows her creator. That she has been born into the will of the One who created everything. As we all have. I pray that she chooses to accept the salvation He offers and the Joy that comes with it one day. "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:12