My Prayer for You

Bryleigh Renee,

I've prayed MANY prayers in my day.  I've cried out to God in desperation to the point that I could literally feel it in my heart and had tears streaming down my cheeks...prayers for healing in my Granddad and for God not to take him, prayers for healing in my body physically and emotionally so that I wouldn't hurt so deeply anymore, prayers for Him to mend broken friendships or (selfishly) bring a boyfriend back in to my life I (thought I) needed (so thankful for unanswered prayers (; )...and most certainly prayers for YOU.

As I sat and rocked you to sleep tonight, after your bottle was finished and your bed time Bible story was read, I prayed for you. I have to admit, all those cries to God I just mentioned pail in comparison to how desperately I cry out to Him on your behalf.

I pray that every single day of your life you would feel pursued and loved by the Creator of the universe.  I pray that you would always see His hand at work in your life and that you would have faith in His plan for you.  I pray that you will let Him guide your steps and that you will trust in His guidance.  I pray that your daddy and I show you our love each day and that we teach you what it means to love as Christ loves us by showing you that kind of love.

But most importantly, and most earnestly, I pray that at some time in your precious life you come to know Jesus personally.  I pray with all my heart that you will believe in Him and accept the gift of eternal life that He has waiting for you.  I know that 2000 years ago when He went to the cross, He went there for you, Bryleigh Renee Hammons.  I know that before you were even a blip on the radar, He thought of YOU.  I know that before you took your first breath, your debt was paid.  I pray that you know and believe that in your heart one day, too.

You are my most precious gift on this earth, and I pray for you with all my heart each and every day.

Love You Forever and a Day,
Your Mommy

Today, we stood before God, our Church, our friends, and our family and made a vow to raise Bryleigh in a loving home where Christ is always at the center.  I wanted to expand on that and share some of the promises I have made since learning our little miracle was on her way, to bringing her home, to spending the last 5 precious months with her...I'm sure this list will only continue to grow over time.

I promise to...

* Pray for you and with you every day

* Put your needs ahead of my own

* Love you unconditionally every day of my life
*Read to you every day, and then listen to you read each day (once we cross that line)

* Be your mother first, but also be your friend

* Support you in everything you choose to do - I will be your #1 fan and supporter!

* Calm your daddy down when you go on your first date (and help him be okay with it being before you're 30 and it NOT being a double date that includes me and him....)

* Raise you in a home that loves the Lord

* Take you to church each and every Sunday

* Read to and teach you about God's Word 

* Encourage and support you, but not hinder or enable you

* Let you fly (Goodness I can not wait to see what all God has in store for your precious life!)

* Catch you when you fall (and always encourage you to give it one more shot!)

* Be honest with you always

Be on guard.  Stand firm in the faith.  Be courageous.  Be strong.  And do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14