Written September 2018. Two months into motherhood with my first baby boy. Trying to soak in my fresh, darling newborn while battling demons in my mind. The Lord, tenderly carrying me.

Edited December 2024.

Now, as a mother to not one, not two, but three sons… My tender words hit even closer to home somehow. Mothers with sons — may we raise strong, bold, loving men.

And to the little girls out there that will one day grow up to become my daughters in law… I am praying so fervently for your heart, your protection and your upbringing.

The Lord so beautifully curates our life stories decades in advance — how incredible we get to have a tiny part in it. Pray for the generations.

My beautiful, tiny boy.

One day you won’t fit in my arms.

One day you won’t fit in my lap.

One day you won’t fall asleep on my chest.

One day I won’t be able to carry you to bed.

Or rock you to sleep.

One day you’ll need more than just my warmth to comfort you.

One day my arms won’t be able to protect you from the world.

One day you won’t wake up in the night, needing to be held and loved.

One day you will get hurt and my kisses won’t fix it.

One day you will choose independence, slowly but surely.

One day you will choose a girl.

And one day you’ll be a man.

I pray you would cling to your future wife when you launch from our home,

And that your marriage would lovingly reflect Christ.

I pray that you will always put Him first, and not get caught up in your own agenda.

That you’ll always take time to notice God’s beauty in a sunset.

That you’d stop to admire the twisted branches of an ancient oak.

That you would treat strangers with the same exuberant kindness, no matter what they have to offer you.

That you would stop to hold the door for a stranger, like your daddy always does.

That you would never waver from the truth built on the Rock.

I pray that you will love passionately, forgive quickly, and apologize often.

That you will never forget how deeply loved and cherished you are by your Heavenly Father.

I pray the enemy’s attacks would fall on deaf ears as you fight with the sword of Truth and Righteousness.

I pray that you will become a bold and courageous leader of your own family.

And I pray that in all those days in between,

I can soak up and lovingly remember these slow days of holding and loving you.

The quiet days of just us, happiest in your mama’s arms.

I pray one day my son, when you look into the face of your own precious baby,

maybe then you’ll know

how much I love you.

Love,

your mama.

— ADH

9/1/2018