This letter is part of series of letters I have written to my daughters. Please read them as though they were for your daughter, or from your mom. There is a downloadable letter at the end of the post that you may print and share with your loved ones.
Dearest Daughter,
What I want you know is that you possess something the world cannot attain-
deep down
JOY.
People everywhere want to offer up love to one another,
but the problem is,
when you scratch beyond the surface of their love you will find
hostility, sadness, and fear.
I plead with you to guard yourself from these emotions.
Do not conform to this way of thinking.
Let your love run deeper.
I pray that below your surface is the joy that only God can give.
Your joy is something that comes from knowing who you are,
and you are,
the daughter of King,
safely bound to him for all eternity.
This world needs your joy, this world needs God’s joy.
You must know with all your heart
that Satan can crush your body,
but he can
never
crush
your spirit.
Because of that, you can laugh freely without fear of tomorrow.
You can dance in the midst of your pain knowing it is temporary.
You can sing a joyful song to the Lord of lords and King of kings.
You are his, and he is yours.
My child, hold this tightly.
The freedom you possess while laughing,
the smile you do not hesitate to reveal
will be a beacon of light in the dead and despairing world.
They will notice and want what you have.
Let that joy etch itself across your face as you grow.
This world needs to see something they have yet to see.
Joy unspeakable.
Walk confidently my daughter,
laugh in the face of adversity,
and let the joy of the Lord be your strength.
Love,
Mom
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9
Top photo by Bahaa A. Shawqi from Pexels
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