My darling Lilli…when you get to be as old as your Mimmie, you might start to realize there are things you wish you’d said more intentionally, a long time ago, to your own kids; or, at the very least, just said them better. I heard once that grandchildren can be a kind of “do-over.” I don’t agree with that entirely, for you are not mine to raise, day in and day out. However, because I am removed from the constancy of your daily care, I think those things that need saying can rise more easily, and with greater clarity, to the top of my heart. It’s my hope that this letter (and the ones to follow in years to come) will help make your life’s road a little easier to travel.

Lilliana Grace.

You are 10 weeks old tomorrow, and, save for Jesus, the current ruler of my heart. It is HARD to live so far away from you; much harder than I even imagined. I find myself randomly thinking of the sweet smell of your head or the impossible softness of that fleshy area where your cheek meets your neck. You’re smiling all the time now, and I’m jealous for some of those smiles to be just for me. Between you and me, I’m still praying for Mommy and Daddy to move to Texas, but don’t tell them. We’ll let God surprise them with it when the time’s right. *grin*

I’ve been thinking for the last few days about what the topic of this first letter should be. There are so many, many things to talk about in this life; so many lessons to learn. But, suddenly, the thought came to me: What if there was only this one letter, and, for whatever reason, no others were ever written? What would I say then?

Well, my treasured girl, it would be this:

Seek Jesus. Grab His hand early and never let go.

Build your life and relationships on the sure foundation of His Word.
Learn His Word and store it in Your heart.
Get to know His voice.
Run to Him when life beats you down.
Rest in Him while He builds you up.
And when He turns you back out to change the world, do what He says with joy and confidence.
Celebrate Him.
Revere Him.
Trust Him with your life…now, and for eternity. He is so worthy of it.
Revel in His extraordinary, unfathomable love for you.

Seek Jesus. Grab His hand early and never let go.

That’s the single, most important lesson you will ever learn from me. But, Lord-willing, it won’t be the last time you receive it. I pray that you’ll see it modeled over and over in the coming years, and laced in and out of every word I ever write.

Your Mimmie loves you, Lilli.

Wholly.

Impossibly.

As big as the sky.