A time to be Faithful in the Little things...

With the blinds pulled up we look at the moonlight glow and sit cross-legged on her bed.

I love this time with her. Our mother/daughter conversations filled with honesty, laughter, tears. The moments before head hits pillow and we fall asleep to enter in a new day.

I brush her golden hair away from her eyes and gently tuck it behind ear only to see it fall down again on her hot pink frames.

"So baby, did you get a good part in the play?" This was the first moment I've had to ask her about the auditions for the church Christmas production.

"Not really" she tells me with a long drawn out sigh. "I reeeally wanted the part of Esther, but this one will have to do". Her eyes look down at her script, avoiding tears as she thumbs the corner of her black and white booklet.

"You seem quite sad, Hun." I'm pointing out the obvious. Giving her permission to speak freely.

She does.

She tells me how all the character roles she played up to this point in her life have been quite small and she knows she is capable of more. She tells me how sometimes at school she feels alone and longs to be here with me. She tells me that she wants to be someone who makes a difference. She tells me she wants to love God with the same crazy love He has for her. She tells me how she wants to have the responsibility of bigger parts when it comes to live theatre and she's really glum about the role she was recently cast in.

She tells me. More. Always more.

I listen.

Then I speak.

"You my darling, play a huge role. A main part in a beautiful unfolding story." She looks at me with bright eyes and puzzlement. So I continue... "You play a BIG part in my life. You are a daughter worth celebrating, everyday. You are beauty. You are grace. You Anna, are more then enough. You are His child and that is the biggest role you'll ever get."

I can't help the tears from falling as she leans into my arms. Our warm embrace of truth.

We snuggle in tight to lift praise and prayers for having our lives scripted by the hands of God. My heart bursts open as she softly speaks her requests, I'm humbled by her words. With joy she continues in conversation with God"... and Jesus, I thank you for my small part in our Christmas play. Will you give me everything I need to do it well for your glory. For I will be faithful in this little thing, knowing that if I am, you will bless me more."

She teaches me often, this daughter of mine. I learn much from watching her grow.

With forehead kisses and a tender nose-to-nose bump, we say goodnight. I close her door behind me and I stand in the hallway swelling with gratitude. Giving thanks for His mighty work. And how in my moments of want, He calls me to be faithful in the little. Faithful with my portion. Faithful with what I have. Faithful with my life. Faithful to Him.

And in doing so, I enter in.

'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'

(Matthew 25:21)