Twelve years ago today I received the best birthday gift ever!  My Heavenly Father gave me my daughter, Abigail.  She was born a little after 1 a.m. on my 25^th birthday.  Her name means “father’s joy” and while she is certainly that, she also brings joy to her mother and all those around her.

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Abigail, I thank the Lord for you.  I love you so much and truly want God’s best for your life.  I celebrate the day you were born because it is special.  It is special to your family but also to your Heavenly Father.  He created you for a purpose.  That purpose is to glorify Him in all you do.  I pray that God will bless you today.  That He will continue to mold and shape you into the beautiful young lady you are becoming.  I pray that He will bless your hands throughout your entire life.  That everything you do will point others to our Lord.  I pray that God will continue to create in you a clean heart and that you always love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  I pray that God will give you a pure love for others and that you spend your life serving those around you in a selfless way.

Be careful precious child that you do not fall into the trap of vain beauty.  It is especially easy for young ladies your age.  The world tells you that you must look beautiful on the outside.  But this is not true.  You are a beautiful young lady but always keep in mind what God’s Word says about beauty.  “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised,” (Proverbs 31:30)

A young lady, no matter how beautiful she is on the outside, who does not have virtue and honor, will become a disgrace.  “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion,” (Proverbs 11:22).

Remember sweet Daughter, that the world can be awful cruel and that people can be mean.  But you are not of this world.  You are set apart.  You are special.  You are a child of the King.  So, set your affections on things above and not on things below.  When all those around you are worldly minded make sure you are spiritually minded.  When people around you make poor choices remember who you are.  Do what is right, never forgetting that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him,” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

You are surrounded by people who love you.  You have grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins who love you dearly. Never forget how much your family loves you.   Never forget that your father and I will always be here for you.  Never forget that you have brothers that will protect and defend you.  Never forget that God loves you with an everlasting love. 

Happy 12^th Birthday Abigail!   

Love, Mom