And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature...

June 25, 2016

Dear Riley-Boy,

Do you know how much I love you?  I remember when your daddy called me right after you were born.  He told me your name:  Riley Allyn.  I loved the sound of it.  I told your daddy it was a good, strong name.  Your Poppa and I came down the Sabbath your parents brought you home from the hospital.  You were in a blanket and laying on a cuddling pillow.  I looked at you.  Your little hand grabbed my finger and held on, but in truth, it was my heart you held in your hand that day.  It was love at first sight; a total surrender of my heart.

In the pages that follow, I want to share with you the things I pray for your life.  Hey, even Aunties have dreams for their nieces and nephews.  I am no different.

You are smart, talented, creative, and handsome.  Yet, to my mind, those aren't even the most important things about you.  To me, the most important thing about you is your generous heart and the love that resides there.  I pray that it always will.

This brings me to the first promise I want to circle you with in prayer.  It is found in Luke 2:52.

And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52 (AMP)

Maybe that doesn't sound like a promise, but I think it is.  A promise that you can grow just as Jesus did.  My prayer for you, my precious Riley-Boy, is for you to be like Jesus.  To have His heart so that you are loving and compassionate to all you meet in your life.  And, yes, that includes your sister.

To have the mind of Jesus so that you will seek knowledge and understanding of God.  Do this, and you will grow in favor with God and your fellow human beings.  And even your sister.

I love you,
Auntie Geri

Dear Heavenly Father,

I present to You my nephew, Riley Allyn.  Its a good name; a strong name, don't You think?

Father, I fell in love with this kid the first day I met him.  I have watched him grow from a baby to the almost teenager that he is today.  I know You have watched him, too.

Riley is contemplating baptism and has been taking Bible studies to learn more before making this very important decision.  To that end, I want to circle Riley with the promise in Luke 2:52.  Help him to learn of your grace and mercy.  Give him a deeper understanding of Your great sacrifice and of Your unrelenting love for him.  Show him that he is incomplete without You.  Show him (as You did me) that You have a Riley shaped hole in Your great heart where he belongs and how empty it would be if he were to turn away from You.  Help him to grow from the sweet boy that he is now into a caring and compassionate man.  Help him to grow in wisdom and in stature and in favor with you and his fellow man.

I ask this in the precious name of Jesus, seeking Your perfect will

Amen