My Little Longhorn...

So, I have refrained from posting about my precious Alaina thus far, but alas, I can hold it in no longer! If you know me, you have no doubt heard endless stories about my wonderful friend Amber's oldest daughter. She has stolen my heart, and Amber graciously allows me to spoil her!

And, she has learned the most amazing thing. Usually I would not take total credit for her giftedness, but on this occasion I am going to! I have, on several occasions, tried to teach Alaina how to do the longhorn hand sign, so she can start to truly show her Texan heritage. She had seemed to show no interest, but apparently had been soaking in every morsel of wisdom I was imparting. She woke up Sunday morning, with her hands in the hallowed Longhorn position.

But, what is even more meaningful to me is what she told her mother the next day. (This is of course MY paraphrase!) She was showing Amber her Longhorn hand, and she was saying, "hook 'em horns" then followed that by saying she needed to show her friend Ashlee. Then she said, "She will laugh and say I am cute!" How could a two year old be so intuitive? How did she know with such confidence what would happen?

Because she is smarter than me! Okay, just kidding, but she knows because she knows she holds my heart in her hands. She knows I think she is the most precious little girl, and there is virtually nothing I would not do for her.

You see, there is confidence and security in love. When you accept love, with no strings attached, at face value, there is confidence and security to be gained. Confidence that you are worth loving. Just you. Just the way you are. No matter what else changes in your life, Love says you are worth it. That breeds not only confidence, but security. Security that says Love is never leaving. Security that says you can't make it go away, even when you really mess up. Security that says no matter how bad your day was, you are worth Love.

So, why does Alaina understand that so simply about me, and I struggle to truly believe that about God?

It should be the other way around. It should be easy to grasp His love, because His love is perfect, unlike my love for Alaina.

Maybe it has something to do with childlike faith. Maybe it goes to the innocense of children. Maybe it goes to the shortcomings in my own faith. Maybe it goes to the depth and width of Love that we can't really fathom or understand.

What I do know is this; everyone needs people in their lives who they can rest confidently and securely in their love. They lead us to Him.

Oh Lord, help me to be someone who loves in a way that leads others to You.



P.S. If anyone wants to hear more Alaina stories just let me know, I have TONS of them!!!!!