Lessons for my daughter

I have managed to get both of my daughters "addicted" to Starbucks! Lanny isn't too thrilled but it's a great place to go to have a cheap date with them!

So I take my daughters on dates to Starbucks because they have no problem talking for any length of time! Lanny would say they take after me. Boy, is he in trouble as they get older. Hehehe......

I picked a Saturday and took Mikaela for a date. She picked the place - Starbucks - and I picked what we would talk about - how God made her special. She got a hot chocolate and I needed caffeine that morning so I got a strong coffee.

Mikaela is 8 1/2 years old and wonderful. Beautiful auburn hair, freckles that scatter across her nose and cheeks (we say they are souvenirs from Walt Disney World - she had no freckles at all until we went there!), a very compassionate heart, an amazing artistic talent, an excellent reader, a loyal and good friend. And she's a pre-teen. Already. I think that category starts younger and younger with each passing year.

When Mikaela was in first grade she put on a pair of cute jeans I had bought her and burst into tears. I was confused. I finally got it out of her - she thought the jeans made her look fat. WHAT?!?!? In first grade? Where did this thought, this idea spring from? Lanny shoots me dirty looks as if it is my fault but it's not. It's our world and the emphasis, even in first grade, that we must look a certain way. I told her that she didn't have to wear the jeans again, I'd save them for Eliana. But that concerned me, this was starting way too early. I wasn't prepared. I'm not prepared.

This led to the idea that on our dates I had better start getting her heart in the right place concerning who she is and how she looks. So that Saturday morning we sat in a Starbucks and started to talk. I have a book called, "Just Mom and Me Having Tea" and it's a fun devotional book for moms and daughters to do together and it's all about how God made us and how special we are.

Chapter 1: God Made Me Special.
"You made me and formed me with your hands. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well." (Psalm 119:73, 139:14) Wait a minute. What's this? Why do I have tears in MY eyes? Oh well, I just must be emotional today or something. Okay, let's get to the study.
"Seeing myself as being someone special takes clear thinking. I can't be full of pride over who I am, but God's love does set me apart. And I'm learning that if I know I'm special in God's sight, my daughter will follow in my footsteps." (Lori Wick) What is going on with me today? What is my problem? Shoot, now I need a Kleenex. Yes, Mikaela I'm fine. I'm really okay.
"God looked at everything he had made, and said it was very good." (Genesis 1:31) God? Really? Right now, this very moment, you look at me and call me very good? But God don't you look in the mirror when I do? Don't you see? I see and I'm not sure I would call it very good! And then there's the stuff nobody else can see but I do. Are you sure even I am included in that "very good"? Okay, okay. Fine. You look at me and call me very good. Huh. I think I'm going to have to chew on that a little longer - yes I know I have been chewing on it for years but just a little longer? No? Why not? Yes, of course I believe you and yes of course I believe all that you have created is good! Oh, that includes me. Well, if it helps, my head does know that but my heart is having a hard time connecting with that. Why? Well, I don't know why. I guess because I am unhappy with my body and the roller coaster it is on continuously, I guess because I see women who are so beautiful and then here I am - 5'2", boring dark hair, face still breaking out like a teenager's, body size going up and down. What? Oh yeah Mikaela I'm fine. Sorry. Okay where were we?
What are two or three things you like about yourself? I can do this - no problem. After all I have greatly improved over the past year! I can even tell people thank you when they compliment me and not roll my eyes at the same time! I like my curly hair, my toes (!), and the color of my eyes. Okay, I agree the last one is a stretch. Really I could only think of two but I threw the last one in cause I don't not like the color of my eyes! Plus Mikaela thought of three things she liked about herself and so I felt the "pressure" to do the same! Okay, this isn't so bad. And really God I do like my curly hair and I really do like my cute toes! I actually like my height, I don't mind being short - I fit Lanny perfectly. I think the tears have passed. Whew. Crying in the middle of a busy, crowded Starbucks is kind of the last thing I wanted to do today. Moving on. We have to pray for each other? No problem!
Uh oh, problem. My sweet Mikaela is praying for me and I'm crying AGAIN. What is WRONG with me today? Yes, I hear you God. I think I'm beginning to get it. I'm special just like Mikaela is. Yes, I get what you are saying - the lesson isn't just for Mikaela. Her mommy needs it to. Thanks God, I needed my heavenly daddy to speak to me this day. The lesson was for two daughters, not just one.

Oh, and God? I really do like my curls, so thanks!!!