Day 18: A Letter to Your Sibling
Rachael LaJo,
I love you, and I'm so thankful that God put you in my life. It's so nice to have someone beside you as you're growing up, even if we didn't appreciate each other 24/7. lol We made it through the early years of sibling rivalry and petty fussing, then we became good friends through junior high and high school. I'm really thankful that you didn't mind me hanging out with you and your classmates, (who were so much nicer and more fun for me than my classmates)! I have so many great memories with you, Holly, Megan, Mark, Jason, Jay, etc. Even when I started college, I wanted to be home on weekends because being with you all was so much fun! You were the glue of that group, whether you knew it or not, and your sarcastic sense of humor always made everything relaxed and fun!
In all that happened through "the Mustang years," anything I did or said that came across as harsh was done out of love - my motive was always to help and protect you, and I hope you know that. I have no doubt that you endured a lot that none of us know about, and I know it was not an easy situation to pull yourself out of. That entire season taught me a lot about grace and love and boundaries, and I know you learned a lot on the other side of it, too. I'm truly SO proud of the changes you have made and how you have worked to turn away from destructive things and build a better, healthier life!
I'm thankful that God has brought good, new things into your life -- like a husband and four children, a new home, and a growing creative business. J. Michael and K. Faith absolutely adore you and light up when you walk in the room. I know you have taken an unfair amount of criticism and parenting advice from well-meaning people with terrible boundaries, and I'm really sorry about that. But I believe in you and I know you are strong enough to handle those situations -- to step up and set good boundaries and do what you believe to be right -- because YOU are their mom and you love them and pray over them and want what is best for them! You and Josh are accountable for raising them, not anyone else. Don't let others walk on you or make you feel inferior there. (Some great advice you've given me in other situations in my past.)
In closing, keep seeking God, living from your heart, and doing things that make you come alive! You have so much creativity and love and energy inside you that I feel like you are just beginning to really press into... I'm loving that for you! I've always thought you were pretty, but especially these last few years, you've become a radiant, effervescent kind of beautiful! Motherhood brings out the best in you. You are becoming more and more the woman God created you to be - keep fighting for that and seeing yourself as He sees you. Your fun, expressive personality and ability to make others feel comfortable and relaxed is a gift, and I'm not sure you're even aware of it sometimes. You bring so much life and light to others, and I'm thankful to have you - the real you - back!
So thanks for being my sister and my friend, and thanks for bringing two of the most preciously adorable children God ever created into the world!! ;) I'm praying that God blesses you and your family, and that He continues to bless our relationship!
Lindsey Claire
(This works on so many levels... we were big fans of both Sister Act movies, and Rach loved this song back in the day! lol)
Happy Wednesday!
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