Dearest Daughter, Have the Joy of the Lord

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 

Dearest Daughter...(letter 1)

I have been writing these letters to keep for my daughters for a time when they are grown and need to hear them. I wanted to share them with you every now and again in a series called "Dear Daughter". It is a series from mothers of any age to daughters of any age. You can read them to your daughters, or read them as though they were from your mother. At the end of each post with be an image of the letter on stationary that you are free to download and print off for your daughters.

Dearest Daughter,

What I want you to know is...

 that I love you with all my might. 

There is nothing you can do to take away my love for you. 

But, even though I am your biggest fan I will fail you sooner or later and it will hurt. 

I don't mean to hurt you, 

but I am not without fault.

 I am a sinner and my imperfections often shine brighter than my strengths. 

For the pain I have and will cause, 

I am sorry from the depths of my heart. 

You must know though,

 that when it feels like everyone (including and especially me) 

has abandoned you,

 and you are at the bottom of a dark lonely pit,

your perfect Heavenly Father 

will leap off his throne to come to you. 

He will fiercely and quickly come 

on the wings of the wind

 to your cry for help. 

Mountains will tremble in his presence. 

Then, 

he will draw you up in his righteous hands, 

 protecting you from those who hurt you. 

He will wash you in his everlasting love 

until the pangs of isolation 

have faded,

and you have 

strength to stand again. 

Call to him to come to your side when the pit seems too dark 

and your heart is too burdened. 

He will NEVER leave you. 

You are NEVER alone. 

Though people like me will fail you, HE never will.

All My Love,

Mom

He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. 

He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. 

They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me. 

He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. Psalm 18:16-19