I love this picture of you. This picture of you that Mom (Nonnie to you) took this past Christmas. She found you in the foyer of the church with the Nativity and all the other people were somewhere else, I think on the floor or on a different part of the table. You made your way to be just tall enough to see eye to eye with Jesus. Pure and innocent and a baby. Who would grow to be an adult, pure and innocent, sinless, who would die a horrible death on a cross so that we would know how loved we are by the God above, who is sitting relaxed with His feet propped on Earth. He doesn't miss a thing and He's planned it all out. Yet, He watches and waits for our every move and reply to follow Him.
Tomorrow, you turn 3. How?! How are you already 3? You have grown and changed so much. You made me an auntie. You were so little when you were born, I was scared I would break you. Now, you are running and walking and fearless.
There's a few things we have in common sweet girl. One is that everyone says you look like me when I was little. The greatest joy in my heart to know that there is a precious girl across the country from me who looks like me. Makes me tear up. I love your love for books. There's something about Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" that we both know and love. Her love for books and love stories and curiosity and wonder. Her love of exploration and knowledge and learning. I know you will grow up to be the same. Bossy as an older sister (that's a requirement by the way- :) ). Curious and questioning everything. Putting things where they belong and believing the best about people, even a beast.
The last thing is something evident in this picture that I pray you know and learn about and love too. That's Jesus. At a little under 3, your heart understands something that most adults don't. There's something amazing about Jesus. Something that catches our gaze and slows our breath. Something that makes us excited and hopeful. Something that purifies what we can't and makes right what we see as wrong. A Man who made the last, first and the first, last. A miracle worker and a miracle Himself. A gift. Sweet and simple. Straight for us.
And I pray that as you get older, He always keeps your gaze. One of my favorite names of God is "El Roi"- the God who sees me. May El Roi always keep your eyes. May He always get the glory from your life and may you always see the amazing thing we find in Jesus Christ. A resurrected Savior who owes us nothing but gave us everything. He's worth looking at. He's worth your heart, mind, and who life. May you always know more than anything what He sees in you--a sweet young lady who's heart is kind and brave, who sees the best in people, who works hard, who's compassion and sensitivity is used as a gift to bring Him honor.
What a privilege to watch you grow up. What a privilege to be your auntie. And what an honor to point you to Jesus. He is it and that is all.
Love you and happy day of 3! Auntie M
