Today, our precious Lauren turns nine years old. I really can’t believe that my time raising her is halfway over. It brings tears to my eyes. I’ve tried so hard to be the right kind of Mother to her. She is strong willed, but, so am I. My home pastor always said that we should break the will, but not the spirit. I don’t want to break my daughter’s spirit. I fear that I have come close at times.
There have been days when I have lost my temper, shouted or sounded extremely irritated with her. I have gone to ask her forgiveness when this happens. I want to teach her that we all fail, but when we do, we should make it right. I hate that I fail. I am so worried I will ruin my children. I bathe my children in prayer whenever I think about them.
The desire of my heart is that my children grow to love the Lord. I want him to be real to them. I want them to serve the Lord because they know Him for themselves, not just because “that’s what Mom and Dad did.” I want it to be personal.
The only way for me to accomplish this is through the power of the Holy Spirit. Only God can do the true work on their hearts – from the inside, to the outside.

Lauren has already had to face some struggles in her life, but even so, she has a tender heart. She stood proudly in our Sunday night service to give her salvation testimony. I am so thankful that she isn’t afraid to tell the church and her friends what Jesus did for her!
I’m not the perfect parent (Oh! How I long to be!) But Jesus is the perfect Savior. I pray He will do the work in her life that only He can. Now, I must go dry my tears. I hope you enjoy a look back on our sweet Lauren Kassidy.

Happy Birthday, Lauren. I sure do love you. I don’t deserve to even be a Mother. I am so thankful that God is merciful and gave what I didn’t deserve.
I am so very proud of you.