Radiance, my daughter,

Your name means light. Brilliance.

You are meant for more than this world. You are made for Eternity.
I’ve loved you forever, before you were born until now.
And into Eternity when perfect love will be the only expression known.
To love as God loves.
My health is fragile but you do not need me on earth
for you already have all you need:

JESUS

In one word you have the answer to everything.

Your name is engraved deeper in His hand than it is on the gold band on your wrist.

When fear grips and crisis looms, call Jesus.
When ingratitude threatens call Jesus.
When the lure of friends overpowers, call Jesus.
When all is well, and joy abounds, thank Jesus.
Make Jesus your hope, as He has been my hope.
Call on Him: He will answer you.

Choose God’s standard. Always.
Covet what matters – things eternal.
Let the Lord be your guide, your North Star, your compass.
Let the Holy Spirit be your mentor.
Call on the Lord to deliver you from fears.
Christ will make you strong when you are weak.

You belong only to God, created by Him for Him.
Entrusted to me to bear and nurture for a few years.
To train you in His ways.
Those years have now expired. You belong to God.

I remember every detail of your life. None have faded.
Many are in scrapbooks, travel memorabilia, photographs by thousands.
Boxes labelled by grade, cards and drawings.
A red suitcase filled with baby clothes.
All are in memory.

I gave you my best.
Dance, music, gymnastics, sports, themed birthdays.
Parliament.
Every opportunity was explored.

When the no’s came they were the result of foresight.
Blessings in refusal to protect you.
To preserve you for the years you have now embarked on as an adult.
God is good. And when He says no He is still good.
God can be trusted even when it does not happen your way.

Imperfect mother. Perfect God.
Sinful mother. Sinless God.
I look to Him, and I became radiant.
I held my Radiance, the shame on my face erased.
I pray you look past my flaws and find grace that covers all shortcomings.

When the contradictions surge, when the world shouts and friends beckon,
discern His voice and go after Him.
Even if it means going alone. He will never let you down.
Your Protector, your provider, henceforth.

Freedom in this world is unachievable
for shackles come in different forms:
bills, responsibilities. In enslavement to the influence of ill-chosen friends.
Remember – on the authority of His Word He will free you.

Don’t be a crowd pleaser. Don’t strive for acceptance through sin.
Don’t waste your life following friends. Say no.
May God’s pull be stronger than peer pressure.
Waste not on social media.

You were made to stand out, unique and beautiful individual.
For higher and nobler. Born for greatness.

Popularity tempts but it is temporary.
Only God is constant. Choose His way. Choose wisely. Choose carefully.
Choose attuned to the Holy Spirit for whose gifts you were named.
Sear the Word on your heart.
Read it. Memorize it. Live by it.

Prepare to be a good wife to the fine husband you wish to marry.
May the one you choose love God more than he loves you,
for then will you know he is the right one.
Be selective. Be discerning.
God has already picked him and He will lead him to you.

Love is a feeling but more critically, it is a choice.
A choice to commit when things do not go as expected.

I failed, and was forgiven. You do not have to fail.
But if you do, may the shadow never dim your face.

I spent my life protecting you in an unsafe world.
I gave you every comfort and luxury within my means.
I made sacrifices .
And one day you will do the same for a child who has to leave too quickly.
Know that you can do it through Christ. Anywhere. You are able.

You’ve outgrown your dependence on me.
You can find your own answers and for this I am satisfied. .
But never outgrow your reliance on God. Seek His help.
He’ll reply for He has all the answers.

Become the best in your chosen field. Aim for excellence.
Dream big. Live productively. Do good. Be compassionate.

Watch your company for you become as those you hang out with.
God longs to set you free from the influences of those who do not live by His Word.
Be careful who advises you, for their standards may not be God’s.

The standards I asked of you are the same standards by which I lived.
Now that you’re an adult, the consequences of your actions will be yours to confront. Seek the Lord.
He will be with you you until mortality gives in to immortality.

My peace comes from entrusting you to God’s care.
The only one who truly understands you.
He who can fix every broken, every difficult, formed you.
He updated the count of the strands on your head today.
You are my child and You are His child.
We are both His children, and He makes it good for each of us.

Guard your mind. Guard your heart.
Guard your purity. Guard your faith.
Covet a gentle spirit. Be contented.

Radiance, may you never be without the presence of the Holy Spirit.
May you always be at peace.
May you look to Jesus and be radiant with joy.
May you live up to your name.
And may your light so shine that many will be drawn to God.