Growing Forever

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My daughter heard:

Whatever you will be in life, 
you will be by the time you're 18. 

You will never be more than that.

Of course that's not what was said, 

but it is what she heard. 

Only seven more years to get it right.

 Pressure.

Nothing new for decades.

Tears.

We laid on our stomachs on my bed.

Time for a growing-up girl chat

about filtering what we hear

and from whom we hear it

and in what context.

Time to share

TRUTH.
 

Sure I grew up to the age of 18.

I grew bones, hair, brain power.

I grew in knowledge and experience.

I even grew in character and love.

But if I'm honest

[and I try to be]

I've grown the most 

in the past eleven years.

Since she was born.

Since I became a mother.

Since my heart filled up with love

and set me on a journey far above rooftops.

TRUTH:

We never stop growing.

He who began a good work in us

will be faithful to complete it.

He constantly molds us into His image,

full of grace and mercy, 

loving us far beyond what even

our earthly hearts can comprehend.

No, sweet child,

you will not be all you were meant to be

by the time you are eighteen years old.

You will be all you were meant to be

when He completes you.