A Rose By Any Name…
Blog | Family | Growing Pains
I’m pretty sure I tucked Maggie Hope into bed last night and covered her with a pink fleece blanket before I tiptoed from her room. But this morning the little girl hollering from the nursery was Emma Rose. Emma Rose looks just like Maggie with bed head, but I didn’t tell her that. Instead, I just kissed her tousled blonde hair and said good morning to my unexpected guest.
Emma Rose wasn’t too difficult to have around this morning. Turns out, she loves to eat Lucky Charms for breakfast, just like Maggie does. And like my three-year-old, Emma Rose drinks Sunny D in a sippy cup and keeps watch for the big yellow bus so we all know when it pulls up our hill. Emma Rose fit into our morning routine just fine and she only yelled at me once when I forgetfully called her Maggie.
However, Emma Rose must have had other things to do today, because as soon as the big kids hopped the bus, Emma Rose disappeared and left Annelise in her place. Annelise reminded me of my fifth-born. She wore a pink tutu with bright red sparkle shoes and invited me to a tea party. She served me lukewarm tap water from a pink plastic teapot and called me darling a time or two. But I must have been boring company for such an elegant girl, because when Annelise went to the bathroom during the middle of our tea party, she never returned. Perhaps she snuck out the back door.
I didn’t have to be lonely for long, though. Emily showed up next in a shimmering green leotard and announced that I was just in time for her dance show. Her dramatic spins and twirls reminded me of another three-year-old I know well. I do hope Maggie returns by bedtime because I’d love a goodnight hug from my littlest girl before the day is over. But until then, I’ll just keep enjoying my many guests.
Maggie changes her name as often as she changes her underwear in any given day (a girl needs to wear ALL the princesses panties in her drawer in one day, you know!) But I don’t mind. The way I see it, Maggie might as well enjoy a little variety before she reaches preschool and finds herself pinned with the same old name tag every day.
My wanna-be princess is welcome to try out as many pretend names as she wants in the comfort of our own home. But I pray that she will choose to embrace her real identity as a child of God. After all, if Magdalene Hope (or Emma Rose or Annelise or Emily) chooses to live as God’s girl, then she will always be pulled back to the name that defines her best: beloved daughter of the King of Kings.
The Overflow: I will be their God and they will be my children.-Revelation 21:7
The Overflow: I will be their God and they will be my children.-Revelation 21:7
Sounds like life with Maggie is never dull – she and Jillian would have a great time dancing!!!!!!
~Robin 🙂
Oh, yes, our little girls have some creative similarities, don’t they? And I believe they both “disappear” just long enough to make BIG messes while we miss them 🙂 We’ll keep praying them into their true identities as amazing daughters of the King and one day they’ll have stories to tell for His glory!
As I read this I filled in Annika’s name…and I was filled with hope!
I love you Alicia!
Your amazing!