You gather words like flowers, inhaling their unique fragrances and tucking them in a basket to pull out and admire as often as you desire.
Your eyes lock with mine when I say a new word, and you whisper back, "Say again..." so that you may watch my lips and repeat it as accurately as possible. For you, it's not enough to be understood... it's so very, very important to be correct when you use a new word!
Sweet girl, I find myself purposefully saying something that I know will catch your attention, just so you'll repeat it! When I take a drink of water, and you wait to have a sip of your own, I sigh and say, "Oh, so good!" just to hear you repeat it exactly when you finish. We belly laugh together; I in delight, you, a tad bewildered but joining in just the same.
These past few months have been an absolute delight as your vocabulary has grown. We laugh so often at the crystal clear words you jumble out of order into sentences... "Mama, pretty my dress?" "Baby come tummy out, I cover up?" To "turn a phrase" has taken on new meaning in our household!
But we are thankful for another reason... it has caused us to be so much more careful about what we say.
When you heard the word "stupid" the other day, the word was turned over and over in your sweet mouth; you said it perfectly, quietly to yourself. When Mama knelt in front of you to talk about the kinds of words that should come out of a princess' mouth instead, you listened carefully, and now you are our constant reminder to keep our tongues.
We rejoice with you as you learn, Eliana, and are so thankful to walk this new path with you, to learn more ourselves about guarding our mouths and speaking clearly and accurately. How good He is to teach us along with you!
Oh, how I pray as you admire and mimic, learn and grow, that the Father will give you a discerning heart to know what is good and worthy of learning and repeating! For as much as Mama can lead and teach, it is He, and only He, who is the Perfect Teacher, who will never slip and lead you astray. Follow Him only, and always, Precious.
Mama
Your eyes lock with mine when I say a new word, and you whisper back, "Say again..." so that you may watch my lips and repeat it as accurately as possible. For you, it's not enough to be understood... it's so very, very important to be correct when you use a new word!
Sweet girl, I find myself purposefully saying something that I know will catch your attention, just so you'll repeat it! When I take a drink of water, and you wait to have a sip of your own, I sigh and say, "Oh, so good!" just to hear you repeat it exactly when you finish. We belly laugh together; I in delight, you, a tad bewildered but joining in just the same.
These past few months have been an absolute delight as your vocabulary has grown. We laugh so often at the crystal clear words you jumble out of order into sentences... "Mama, pretty my dress?" "Baby come tummy out, I cover up?" To "turn a phrase" has taken on new meaning in our household!
But we are thankful for another reason... it has caused us to be so much more careful about what we say.
When you heard the word "stupid" the other day, the word was turned over and over in your sweet mouth; you said it perfectly, quietly to yourself. When Mama knelt in front of you to talk about the kinds of words that should come out of a princess' mouth instead, you listened carefully, and now you are our constant reminder to keep our tongues.
We rejoice with you as you learn, Eliana, and are so thankful to walk this new path with you, to learn more ourselves about guarding our mouths and speaking clearly and accurately. How good He is to teach us along with you!
Oh, how I pray as you admire and mimic, learn and grow, that the Father will give you a discerning heart to know what is good and worthy of learning and repeating! For as much as Mama can lead and teach, it is He, and only He, who is the Perfect Teacher, who will never slip and lead you astray. Follow Him only, and always, Precious.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8bLove always,
Mama
Precocious, precious girl...
11 fellow travelers shared:
these posts always make me cry! I have one at this stage also!
Perfect. That's all--perfect.
Beautiful, Elise! These words, your heart, her face, His love... Thanks for sharing :) Love, Q
Elise, Your letters to Eliana always make me cry. What treasures they will be to her some day. You write so beautifully!
Just a funny note: (and a sigh) A similar thing happened with Kristina and "words we use." She's been very good now at not using the word stupid anymore, except to inform me daily, "we don't say stupid." Ha ha. Right, which is why you don't have to tell me that:-)
What a beautiful, precious letter to your little girl! Enjoy these days...
And little will she know that only a week before - you were not to call her "precious". "I not precious". LOVE her. LOVE you. LOVE these letters she will have from her sweet momma.
I just have to add that I love how you addressed her not speaking like a princess... such a sweet way to encourage and train their lips to speak life. Now, instead of just reminding and talking about guarding our lips, I am able to help my girly grab a hold of the desire to speak like a princess. I love it.
Blessings!
Oh, what a precious girl you have! And what a sweet and loving mama you are. Thank you for your example, dear friend.
Hope you have a good weekend!
Couldn't be said any better - she is so beautiful. How is your family? :)
Thank you again, Elise, for such sweetness. I praise God who has given you this treasure. Praise to the LORD who has opened your eyes and your heart to the value, the necessity, of training and teaching at all times and in all situations (LOVE the drink - sigh - That was so good!). And praise that you have stopped for a few moments to write down these memories - for yourself, for Eliana - and that your share these moments in time with us.
Precious.
Reminds me of the song, Lord I wanna be just like you, 'cause he wants to be just like me, I wanna be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see...
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