Walk Tall, You're a Daughter

I think (and worry!) a lot about being a mother: Why aren't my children sleeping through the night? Are we eating enough healthy foods? How can we have meaningful Family Home Evening, prayers and scripture study? How do I encourage my children to be nice to each other? Discipline? Time outs? My list of questions goes on...So four years after the birth of my first child I've given up on being a perfect mother--I'll happily settle for "good mother".

Last week I finished reading The Last Lecture. Since then I've been reflecting again on the legacy I am leaving for my children. When it comes down to it, am I really teaching them the most essential of life's lessons?

My ultimate wish for my children is that they will be happy, good people who treat others with kindness. I want them to know that they are children of a loving father in heaven.

Remember this song from the 80s?

Walk Tall, You're a Daughter of God
Right now I have a prayer deep within my heart.
A prayer for each of you there is a special part
That you remember who you are and Him who lives above
Please seek for Him and live His way;
You'll feel His love.
(Chorus)
Walk tall you're a daughter, a child of God.
Be strong, please remember who you are.
Try to understand, you're part of His great plan.
He's closer than you know, reach up,
He'll take your hand.

I often sing this song to my girls at bedtime. We listen to it on CD in the car, along with countless primary songs. Every so often as I drive, I am struck again by the message. As a lump rises in my throat and my eyes glisten, I am humbled by the responsibility I have as a mother, to be entrusted with these sweet spirits.

Long before the time you can remember,
Our father held you in His arms so tender.
Those loving arms released you as He sent you down to earth.
He said, "My child, I love you,
don't forget your great worth."
(chorus)

I love to hear the four-year-old Ant Bug singing along. At some point I hope she will understand the lesson behind the words she is singing.

This life on earth we knew would not be easy.
At times we lose our way, His path we may not see.
But please remember, always, please, that you are not alone.
He'll take your hand, He loves you.
He will guide you home.

Walk tall you're a daughter, a child of God.

Be strong, please remember who you are.
Try to understand, you're part of His great plan.
He's closer than you know, reach up,
He'll take your hand.

Now I know why my own mother loved to hear me sing this song as a teenager. The important lesson she was teaching me is now the lesson that I am teaching to my children.