Thursday, October 8, 2009

A Prayer for Ella


My Ella,
As I fed you and rocked you to sleep tonight I was especially overwhelmed with my love for you. This is one of my favorite times of the day. The nursery is dark and quiet and it's just the two of us. I can give you my undivided attention. Cuddled against me in our white rocker, you eat eagerly and moan softly. I hold you tight and rub my cheek against your head. You are perfect. As I prayed over you tonight, fear crept into my heart and my mind fast forwarded fifteen years. There we were, mother and daughter. I saw rolling eyes, slamming doors, dark eyeliner. I heard, 'That's not fair!' and 'You don't understand anything!' I saw you crying into your pillow, hurt by the world and misunderstood by your family.

But fear is not from the Lord. So tonight I pray, 'Father thank you for our girl. Thank you for her innocence and her precious spirit. Thank you for the love and joy she brings us. Lord, teach me how to be the best mother I can. Guard my actions and my words. Teach me to listen to her needs. To really hear her. I pray that Ella will always know how much I love her. How much you love her. I pray that as she grows, Ella will trust me as she does tonight. I pray that when I look into her eyes I will see a young woman of confidence. As she grows, I pray Ella will respect her father and I and she will invite us to share in her triumphs and struggles. Lord, protect my baby. Help her father and I model love and respect. Bless my children. Protect my family. Thank you. I love you.'

You will grow up. You may slam doors. But you will always be loved. I want to hold you like this forever. With your complete trust and contentment. For I am certain that I will adore you forever. My sweet Ella Vita.

5 comments:

~j~ said...

amen....
xo

Becky Dellar said...

wow...what a prayer - And what a sweet moment!! Thank you for modeling praying for your children and saying No to fear! It's the truth!!
You should write this down and save it for her someday...

Cristine said...

...amen...by the way meg you didn't slam doors or wear dark eyeliner and you rarely rolled your eyes. Continue to prayer for your children, that is the greatest gift you can give to them! I love you my daughter.

Kim said...

this got me choked up. my youngest is 5 mo., my oldest is 8. i'm praying for the teenage years to never come

Sandra said...

Tears roll down my cheeks as I read and write this response to your very personal prayer for baby Ella. My girls are teenagers and they do act like you described and even worse at times. I am printing, posting, and praying your very powerful prayer, Meghan, for my own girls and me. THANK YOU!