Since we found out that we were expecting, we have been praying for our unborn child. recently, we found out we were expecting a daughter (pics coming soon from the gender reveal I promise). And since that time I have begun to pray even more frequently. Specifically for all of the things I faced during my teen years to not plague her the way they did me. When I say, I would not go back to high school for a million dollars, I'm NOT exaggerating! Totally not worth it! Let's be real candid for a second...being a teen girl in 2000 was miserable. Being a teen girl in 2013 is a million times different and worse, and I can't imagine what it will be like when our baby turns 13. I have already started praying that God would protect her heart from self image issues and BOYS. I'm fervently praying that He would teach her, through me, David, and whoever else influences her, that her beauty only comes from being planted in The Lord her creator.
Those of you who know me well know that I love music. And I firmly believe that God can speak in a song and that I can speak to Him in a song (case in point...see King David and the Psalms). And I've had in my CD player (yes, I still use CDs) Christy Nockels this week. Sometimes you can't beat Christy Nockels when you need to sing praises to the Lord while driving down the road. Plus, I've always been a fan! of the 7 songs in our wedding, 3 were Watermark/Christy Nockels songs. She has a way of pouring her heart out to God in her lyrics and singing. I would say that she and Twila Paris could sing some incredible duets if they partnered up together! But I digress. The whole CD was new to me. I picked it up at Lifeway a while back. It was on sale and I had gone in to purchase the Passion CD. I thought I'd save it for a rainy day. Hence why I'm just now listening.
God blew me away with two of the songs. The first (and one I'm sharing) is All For Your Splendor. And I thought how very much I hope my daughter can sing this song throughout her life. It describes my prayer for her exactly.
Lord, give me the wisdom to know how to instill this in her heart so that she would not waiver when the storms invariably come and could sing this truth all of the days of her life!
All For Your Splendor
I’m so concerned with what I look like from the outside.
Will I blossom into what You hope I’ll be.
Yet You’re so patient just to help me see.
The blooms come from a deeper seed that You planted in me.
Sometimes it’s hard to grow when everybody’s watching.
To have your heart pruned by the one who knows best.
And though I’m bare and cold. I know my season’s coming.
And I’ll spring up in Your endless faithfulness.
CHORUS:
With my roots deep in You.
I’ll grow the branch that bears the fruit.
And though I’m small, I’ll still be standing in the storm.
‘Cause I am planted by the river by Your streams of living water.
And I’ll grow up strong and beautiful, all for Your splendor, Lord.
So with my arms stretched out, I’m swaying to Your heartbeat.
I’m growing with the sound of Your voice calling.
You’re bringing out the beauty that You have put in me.
For Your joy and for Your glory falling.
With my roots deep in You.
I’ll grow the branch that bears the fruit.
And though I’m small, I’ll still be standing in the storm.
‘Cause I am planted by the river by Your streams of living water.
And I’ll grow up strong and beautiful, all for Your splendor, Lord.
You raise me in your love, love, love,
You raise me in your love
You raise me in your power.
Thank you Lord.
With my roots deep in You.
I’ll grow the branch that bears the fruit.
And though I’m small, I’ll still be standing in the storm.
‘Cause I am planted by the river by Your streams of living water.
And I’ll grow up strong and beautiful, all for Your splendor, Lord.