While cleaning out the basement, I came across an old photo of my siblings and me. (I was like five-years-old.) I awed over it. Then my oldest came over and looked at it. “Mom, that looks like my sister!” He exclaimed.

I’ve always thought my daughter slightly resembled my sister. But most of my kids look like their daddy, and I just know I’m in there somewhere. So, I asked him, “Which one looks like her?”  He pointed to the five-year-old me.

“I guess she does look a little bit like me, huh?” I responded. He immediately rushed upstairs to tell his sister the news.

My daughter, she was proud to look like her momma! She suddenly started pointing out all the ways she is like me.

It honestly was quite sweet that my little girl wants to be like her momma and is proud to look like her.

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But my dear daughter, I want so much more for you.

I am a flawed human. I have daily struggles I hope you never know about. I have insecurities that I hope never enter your mind. I pray that you can resemble the good qualities I have, but that those not-so-great realities do not hinder you.

While I love that you want to be like your momma. I want you to set that bar even higher. Don’t be like me. Be better than me. Be the best you that you can be. The world doesn’t need another Renee. The world needs more people to share the love of Jesus. Be like Jesus.

Watch everyone around you- your dad, your siblings, your grandparents, your Sunday school teacher, our friends. See how they strive to imitate Christ. Watch how they love; how they love you and those around them. Help those in need. Share kind words. Be open about your shortcomings. Pray continually. Learn. Grow. Walk in the Spirit. Be obedient to the Spirit.

The world is full of sin and pain. Don’t overlook that. It’s a reality. I pray you learn to discern the truth from the enemy’s schemes early in life. I pray that you learn to have a real and meaningful relationship with God at a young age!

Let your light shine!  I love that you are not afraid to be you. You see a beam; you must walk across it (no matter how high). In a room full of people that you don’t know, you volunteer to lead prayer. When someone needs help, you stop to help. When you are unhappy, you’re not afraid to voice that too.

You are an absolutely beautiful child of God! Keep growing towards Him!