five.

Yes. It is true. Today Eden is five years old. A whole hand. It doesn't even seem like this is happening. Five years old is half a decade. When Eden was born, my life completely changed. Not only did she make me a mother, but I left my job working with children who so desperately needed a parent to become one myself.

I never understood things like patience, grace, weakness, and exhaustion until five years ago. Nothing will humble you quicker than becoming a mother. Having Eden has showed me that I have tried, and still try, to rely on my own strength, and that it is impossible. I am weak. And in these five years God has exposed to me this weakness and filled it with reasons to stay strong:

I am overwhelmed with pride that I have a five year old that is brilliant, beautiful, and openly loves God. But I am also terrified of the next five years. Who will she be at age 10? Will she still want me to tell her stories about when I was little? Will she still want to curl up with her Daddy and watch MacGyver? Will she still tell people at the grocery store about Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross? Will she laugh, dance, tell knock knock jokes?

In some ways it feels like it has taken us a very long time to get here. In other ways, it seems like a blink of an eye. At any rate, I love my daughter more and more with every witty saying and sweet kiss good night. With every time she shares with her brothers when she thinks no one is looking. When she prays for me when she has no idea my heart is aching on the inside. God has begun a good work in His precious Eden. So thankful I have been blessed to be a part of His creation.

Happy birthday, Eden Lanier. May God continue to use you in a mighty way for His glory. And please continue to ask me to tell you stories. I'll save the best ones for you. 

(Missed today's daily photo? Click here.)