Light in a Messenger’s Eyes

Dear Janie,

Glory be! How in the world are you nine years old already?! What a year it’s been, girlfriend! Papa and I have loved every moment we’ve spent with you – whether that’s been in a mean game of crazy eights, a cousins’ outing for some mile-high chocolate pie or some version of the sport of the day. You bring light to every room and life to every party, and today the party is in your honor! Happy birthday!

So let’s take a look at you, Miss Janie, and see what makes you tick. You’re always up for anything involving a group – in the mix of your soccer team or covering right field in softball or just hanging with your friends. You’re just as comfortable with your girlie girlfriends as you are with rough-and-tumble play or video games with your boy cousins. Just bring the gang, and you’re all in.

And this girl loves some good crafting! In your nine-year-old mind, Hobby Lobby is next door to heaven, and you can completely zone out if there are scissors, glue, paint, paper, and a set of instructions – or better yet, no instructions! The creative force is strong with this one, and you make beautiful and whimsical art!

What was on your bingo card this past year? Mark off the family hiking trip to Utah, your first overnight camp to Sky Ranch, the annual cousins’ trip to Broken Bow, and time down on the Texas coast. And who can even keep track of how many playdates or sleepovers you’ve had?! The more, the merrier! Social is the way to go if you’re zany Janie!

We know what you love to do, but who are you? You’re silly but also tender-hearted and compassionate. You’re easy-going and quick to make new friends out of strangers. You’re tiny but tough and fearless, tangling with much bigger girls on the soccer field and never giving it a second thought.

And God has given you the calling to be a light-bearer. Proverbs 15:30a says, “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart.” You bring the light – the joy of the Lord – wherever you go, and hearts are encouraged. I’m excited to see that light grow stronger and spread further as your faith in Jesus blossoms over the years. You’ll be a difference-maker for His kingdom just by being who God created you to be. Happy birthday, Janie - our little light-bearer.

Always loving you with all of my heart,

Milly