Every year we plant a garden and my 5 year old girls love to help! This year the little girls and I planted by ourselves, chatting about how wonderful the veggies will be, and praying for God to send plenty of water for it to grow. I showed them how to step around the rows, not to smash the seeds and new plants. One of them, not wanting to disappointed me, followed along right behind me while I made a row and she picked up rocks. “Look mommy! I’m following in your footprints!”  She had no idea how profound that statement was for me.

I shed a small tear and bent to kiss the top of her head. “Yes sweetie, you are.”

This little girl has had more heartache in 5 years than I’ve had my entire life. Witnessed more than she should, and dealt with the passing of her mother. I’ve had her for 3 years and she knows me as mommy. I took a step back that day to evaluate myself. If she’s following in my footprints, am I following in Jesus’ footprints? Am I walking the walk? Am I talking the talk? I want them to see a difference in us from the life they’ve left behind.

I sing a song for my dad on fathers day written by Mark Lowery

Thank you dad for showing me the father
I see his love in everything you do.
Like a clear reflection in the water
I’ve always seen the father in you.

My parents were an excellent example of Christs love and compassion. I want to strive to be worthy every day of my kids following in my footprints.