Pre-Order So God Made a Mother

To my girl when you look in the mirror,

At two years old, you looked in the mirror full of smiles as you put on blush just like mommy. Today, the mirror was a reflection of happiness and a reflection of how beautiful we both know you to be.

As you grow up, the mirror is going to warp into a funhouse of images and unkind words that are not your own.

The internet and television will make you compare yourself to the women you see. Airbrush and filters and their impossible standards will cause you to question why you can’t look like that in real life. Other girls and even boys will say things about your face or your body that will make you feel ugly and unworthy.

I know those days are coming for you just as they came for me. As much as I will tell you those things are not true, I know a mother’s words are just a whisper among the noise. 

It breaks my heart. But I will whisper and shout all the same.

I see how beautiful you are and that you are more than what you see in the mirror.

You are always worthy, even when you think otherwise.

I see eyes that sparkle with possibility, soaking in the world around you. Eyes that light up, not needing mascara or eye shadow to be considered wonderful. Some day, your eyes will carry bags underneath from years of worry and sleepless nights. Some day, your eyes will have wrinkles from days spent in the sun. But bags and wrinkles will not make you any less beautiful. They will simply show a life of memories and days conquered, both happy and sad.

I see hair that blows in the wind when you run—and a girl who doesn’t care if that hair has fallen flat or frizzy. One day you’ll worry about hair that gets sweaty or hair that falls out of its ponytail. Even if your hair all falls out, it doesn’t detract from the beauty of your heart. I hope you can pull your hair up, wipe sweat from your brow, and get to work for yourself doing something you love. Your actions are far more important than having every hair in place. 

I see a mouth that turns up in laughter and smiles all day, bringing joy to those around you. More than having the brightest smile with perfect teeth, I hope your mouth bring kind words and encouragement to others, building them up. I hope truth and love flow from your tongue instead of gossip and cruelty. A mouth overflowing with sweetness, my dear girl, is much more bright and beautiful.

RELATED: I Refuse To Raise a Mean Girl

I see a tummy that jiggles when you laugh heartily—and a girl who doesn’t care to be bare at the pool or how many calories are in chocolate chip cookies. One day, sweet girl, you likely will pull and prod at that belly, hating your body. You’ll stand on a scale and cry at the number you see, wishing you could be less. But the number on the scale or the size of your jeans won’t show you or anyone else how hard you work, how much you know, or how capable you are. 

I see arms that wrap around others in tight bear hugs. You’re a girl who opens herself up to others and welcomes them into her circle of friendship and play. One day, you might worry about how your arms look in tank tops and you might hide behind sleeves. At a glance, no one will see the shoulder you lend to friends in need or the help your hands lend. The service of your arms is more powerful than how defined your biceps or triceps are.

I see legs that run and jump and play—and a girl who doesn’t care how toned or how fast they are. One day, you might worry about how your legs look in skirts or worry about how much space your thighs take up. But, my dear girl, I hope your legs stand for truth and justice and for those who can’t stand for themselves. I hope your legs run to those in need and carry you beside others working toward a greater purpose.

RELATED: Dear Daughter, God and Mama Are Always On Your Side

There is nothing wrong with wearing makeup and playing dress-up. There is nothing wrong with wanting to play with your appearance and wanting to feel and look your best. But my sweet daughter, your absolute best comes from your soul whether you wear sweat pants or designer labels. Whether you haven’t washed your hair in days or just came from a salon, whether you are bare-faced or made up, you are wonderfully made just as you are.

You won’t always see that in the mirror.

But your mama will, and I will always be there to tell you in case you forget.

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available for pre-order now!

Pre-Order Now

Tiffany Reiger

T.S. Reiger is a former teacher with a PhD who is now a stay at home mom to her children and German Shepherd. 

He’s Slowly Walking Away with Footprints As Big As Mine

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood, Tween
Teen boy walking along beach shore

The true measure of a mother’s love is her willingness to wake up before the sun on vacation. On a recent trip to the shore, my youngest son begged to walk the beach at dawn to look for shells. So, I set my alarm, tumbled out of a warm, king-sized bed with extra squishy pillows, glared at my dead-to-the-world husband, and gently woke my 11-year-old. Without so much as a drop of coffee, we headed out into the morning, the sun still below the ocean horizon. With each step, I shed my zombie-like state and took in the quiet, salt-kissed...

Keep Reading

Are You Watching?

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Little girl playing goalie at soccer practice, color photo

I brought a book to my 7-year-old daughter’s soccer practice. To be honest, I was looking forward to one hour of time when I didn’t have to do anything but sit. No one would be asking me questions, and no one would need anything from me. I wasn’t in charge. So, I set up my lawn chair, got cozy, and opened the book. But then I happened to glance up as it was her turn to run a drill. The coach was passing each kid the ball for them to kick into the goal. She stepped forward, kicked, and made...

Keep Reading

Dear Sully

In: Child, Motherhood
Little boy smiling holding parents' hands

Dear Sully,  Thank you for changing our lives! Many times when someone thinks about autism they think of it negatively. But I want to talk about autism in a positive light. I want to talk about what our son’s autism has taught us.  We wanted to write this letter to you, my beautiful boy, letting you know just how much you have changed our lives and the things you have taught us.  You have made us more compassionate toward others. You have shown us the ability to not judge others because you never know what struggles they are facing.  You...

Keep Reading

She’s Stepping Into Her Own Self and I’m Learning To Let Her

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Smiling young girl

I was recently asked, “What age do you think your daughter will want to decorate her own room?” I was stumped by the question. I never considered that my 7-year-old daughter would one day replace the unicorn head hanging from her wall or the pink color scheme weaved throughout her furniture pieces. Of course, I knew her room wouldn’t stay that way forever. Still, I had never considered the magnitude of emotions I may experience when that day comes.   The first years of parenting a little girl are filled with externally swayed ideas of how they should dress and...

Keep Reading

You Fill Our Family With Laughter

In: Child, Motherhood
Laughing little girl, black and white photo

Little girl, Sometimes, you have a hard time finding your place. You joined our family at seven. You were so sweet but so unsure. There are ways you’re growing . . . changing . . . grieving . . . struggling. and we don’t always know how to help.  However, we listen, we talk, and we reach out to people who know more than we do. Despite all you are going through, there is a strength that always rises to the top. You are funny. And you find the comedy in everything around you.  RELATED: I Love the Laughter That...

Keep Reading

You Gave Him So Much More than a Haircut

In: Child, Motherhood
Baby boy with long hair, color photo

“Thank you for cutting his hair,” I’ve told Emily many times in passing, or lightheartedly over text. I wish I could show her what it actually means in my heart. “I’ll go in by myself,” he says. Instantly, my mind flashes from the achingly handsome 10-year-old standing in front of me to the toddler he once was. I see his 2-year-old self standing before me in our mudroom. Fresh from Kids Cuts, a soggy sticker on his T-shirt that reads “I GOT MY HAIRCUT.” A red and blotchy face from crying, eyes swollen. The buzz cut was the quickest way...

Keep Reading

Time Slips Like Sand Through a Mother’s Fingers

In: Child, Kids, Motherhood
Son kissing mother

I take a handful of sand and watch the granules gradually slip between my fingers. My 1-year-old digs in the sand, then puts the yellow plastic shovel in his mouth. I chuckle at the grimace on his face and dust away sand from his lips. It feels like yesterday my oldest boy had the same wispy blonde hair that turned platinum in the summer, sweet dimples on his hands and knees. Now, his hair has darkened and his legs have lengthened. And somewhere along the way, he stopped calling me Mommy, switching to a simpler Mom. I didn’t even notice...

Keep Reading

Tuck the Moon Inside Your Heart, Sweet Girl

In: Child, Motherhood
Little girl and mother at bedtime

Earlier this month, the astrophotographer Marcella Giulia Pace published the most amazing photograph that depicted 48 different colors of a full moon, captured over the course of 10 years. It is a stunning photograph, showing the moon bathed in the most magnificent ombre hues of reds, purples, blues, oranges, and browns. The colors of the Moon seen from the Earth.#NASAMoonSnap #NASAArtemis @NASAArtemis pic.twitter.com/FERfUe2nwR — Marcella Giulia Pace (@enrosadire) August 20, 2022 When I first saw it, I just stopped and stared at it for a long while, absorbing the nuanced grandeur of the image. How special it was that—for 10...

Keep Reading

I Know What It’s Like To Have a Difficult Child

In: Child, Motherhood
Little girl kneeling on deck, color photo

One Sunday morning during church, I was standing around bouncing my fussy premature baby around the cry room. This room is special—a place for nursing moms and moms with young kids to watch the live sermon on a monitor. I wasn’t alone, two other moms sat on the couches, and we were all chatting. A beautiful but tired mom sat with her little girl snuggled in her arms, gazing at the lights.  “She’s so chill. She’s like this all the time, much easier than my other son.”  I looked over at her with big eyes and a laugh, “I’m jealous!...

Keep Reading

His First Haircut Was the Start of Letting Go

In: Child, Motherhood, Tween
Toddler smiling and holding popsicle, color photo

My son has the most beautiful curls. I remember when his hair started growing as a baby and a little ringlet appeared. My momma heart was bursting with excitement. Yes, I will admit something as superficial as a curl made me squeal.  The kid just has adorable hair—and where does this wondrous flow come from? He didn’t inherit it from me, and his dad doesn’t have a curl to boot either. In a way, it’s become my youngest’s trademark.  The day came for his first haircut, and then his second one. I remember watching his curls fall to the ground...

Keep Reading