The Time Has Come...

Tomorrow, she will fly!
Earlier this year on her birthday, I wrote about helping unfurl her wings and releasing her to fly.

Little did I know just how soon that time would actually arrive... that God already had a plan in place... for her to fly... onto Kingdom purposes and also literally, to quite a faraway place!

And this mama's heart is not sure how to feel...

Yet, I know this for sure... that He who promised is faithful!

My baby girl... at six months of age.

Collecting seashells on a beach in Halifax. (Summer 2006)

So, this mama will release her to fly... and embrace turning this new page in the journey of motherhood... and hold on unswervingly to the Hope we profess... and cover her with prayers... and celebrate the beauty that is God's grace at work in my baby girl's life.

For many years, since the day she was born... this has been, and still is today, my prayer for her:

That she will live life as "a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendour."

Blogging... speaking out for those who are denied a voice.

Learning to drive... she is driving the car that we bought just before she was born!

So... tomorrow, her wings will unfurl!  
Tomorrow she will fly... halfway around the world, for the second time this summer but without us this time, to the country of hubby's and my birth, the Philippines. This will be the longest {10 days} and farthest that she'll be away from us.

Tomorrow she will fly... with a film crew from Compassion Canada, to film a 6-week youth curriculum series on what the Bible says about poverty and justice. This curriculum will be made available next year as a resource for youth groups across the country!

Tomorrow she will fly... to be the face and voice of this curriculum series. Such wild grace to see God answering my prayer that she be used by Him for the display His splendour! It is also a way that God is fulfilling her desire to speak out "for those who are denied a voice in society. The oppressed. The impoverished. The enslaved."

Dear beautiful daughter of mine...
Yes, you are mine... but you are first and foremost, God's daughter! As I have repeatedly told you since you were just a wee little girl, "God loves you infinitely more than I ever can!" So with that in mind, your mama will stretch out her arms and release you to fly... onto Kingdom purposes which He has prepared in advance for you to do.

And I will learn the delicate balance of releasing and embracing... this not-so-easy, yet oh-so-beautiful new rhythm that comes with this exciting new season of motherhood... of letting go and releasing you to fly, yet embracing you with love and covering you with prayers.

A mother holds her child's hand for just a short time, but holds their heart for a lifetime.

~ Author Unknown.

Her most favourite place to be... sitting behind the Compassion table!

Although at times I feel like I am incapable of facing this new season, I know that our Heavenly Father will give me the grace and the strength to do so. 

Although at times I feel like my heart is unraveling just thinking about tomorrow, I know that God is unraveling His perfect plan for your life, for the display of His splendour.

At Inspire Hope last month... introducing her social enterprise, Freedom Creations! 

Sharing her story at Inspire Hope.

Promo cards for the youth curriculum series that she will be hosting.

So... fly, my baby girl... fly! 

Fly tomorrow knowing that I am blessed beyond measure to be called your mama and I am super proud of you... deeply thankful for God's grace in your life and your willingness to follow where He leads!

He has truly blessed you...

... with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.

... with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.

... with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.

... with enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God's grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

{Benedictine Blessing by Sr. Ruth Fox} 

Friends, will you join us...
In covering our baby girl in prayer as she embarks on this awesome God-assignment? Please click here for her prayer letter.

And even though I am not a brave mama because braveness is outside my comfort zone, I *will* be brave... and I will try not to bawl my eyes out at the airport tomorrow. But just in case, maybe I should just bring a box of tissue along with me. :)

:: :: ::

~ To follow my girl on this God-assignment: read her blog and follow her on Twitter or Instagram.
~ Take action by sponsoring a child with Compassion.

Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!