November 15th was an exciting day here at our home. Our oldest, sweet Karis, turned 4 years old. It is amazing to us that 4 years have passed so quickly. Four years of watching her turn from a baby into a little girl. Four years of parenting and learning to depend on the Lord more deeply. I cannot even begin to imagine what the next 4 will be like, starting school & growing independence. I am sure that it will all continue to test me in area of trusting the Lord and not myself.When Karis was born her favorite thing to do was cry, sometimes all day long. I read books, talked to other moms, cried and at times felt helpless. I was trying so hard to control her and when she didn't cooperate my sin would come out. I was trusting in my methods and not in my God. So now four years into parenting I still have lots of methods but by God's grace I am able more to step back and evaluate who I am trusting in. I am learning that parenting is a process and I fight to keep my focus on the goal. A baby who becomes a child who becomes a young woman who loves her Lord and desires to honor Him with her life. And that is my prayer for my girl each day, a deepening knowledge of Christ and a conviction for her need for a savior. All I can do as her mom is be faithful to what God has called me to, plant seeds and water, but it is God who brings growth.
