Ponytails & Prayers

My girl has been having a hard time...basically any time she's not at school. This morning was rough, but we pulled ourselves together and headed out the door for school. Our favorite station was on in the car (AIR 1) and the DJs were talking about how life is hard and that we need Jesus. Ummm...that was NOT a coincidence.

I looked back at my girl and I noticed the most random thing. Her ponytail. I had helped her fix her hair just moments before, but when I looked back I could tell that she had redone the ponytail herself. And that's when it hit me. She's having a hard time because that's just part of growing up.

She is figuring out who she is as a person. She has specific likes/dislikes. She is forming opinions and making decisions. And she wants to fix her own ponytail.

Even as a 6 year old, she is choosing her paths.

So today when she got out of the car instead of wishing her a good day I told her that I am praying for her today. Because what she really needs isn't a 'good day.' She needs my prayers. My prayers for her emotions. My prayers for her decisions. My prayers for her actions. My prayers for her salvation. And prayers for myself...to guide her, to love her, to encourage her, to let her fix her own messy ponytail and for me to not say a critical word about it.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:4-8 NIV