It was a quiet car ride, my daughter and I, each lost in a bubble of our own thoughts.  Then in an unplanned but exact moment, we were both drawn into a song on the radio and spontaneously began singing along!  

Her notes were clear and bright, rising in confidence with the strains of the melody.  Mine echoed the lower, warmly grounded notes of harmony.  Without speaking a word or even glancing toward one another, we simply blended our voices as we have done so many times before.  It was clear these words spoke truth we both needed, dispeling nagging voices in our heads:

You Say by Lauren Daigle

I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know, ooh oh

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity, ooh oh

Taking all I have and now I’m layin’ it at Your feet
You’ll have every failure God, You’ll have every victory, ooh oh

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh, You say I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh, I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe

The moment was so tender, raw, and courageously beautiful all at the same time.  I treasure these times together – whether pensive and quiet or deeply connected.  It is a joy to watch her grow!  It is interesting to see that we are in very different places, and yet very much the same.

She is stepping bravely forward into the first chapter of young adult life, bright with hopes and plans and eager expectation.  Some days she is strong and confident.  Other days she is unclear and unsure, questioning everything.

I am a few seasons of life ahead of her.  Sometimes that enables me to stand in greater confidence, having seen the LORD step in and make Himself, His presence, and His transforming power real enough to me to steady my heart when new challenges arise.  But other days, I am just as vulnerable as she is, seeing only fog, and longing for some reassurance.

The enemy of our souls works overtime to cast doubt.  We doubt ourselves.  We question our circumstances.  We worry that we will make a wrong choice or fail to accomplish the goal we are pursuing.  In the swirl of voices and expectations (from around us and within us), we lose clarity, the sensitivity to the One voice that can set us back on solid ground – the voice of our Father, Creator, and Savior!

In any season of life, we need to remember who we are – and Whose we are!  How precious to realize we can walk alongside each other, offer a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, a hand to hold, and most importantly, a voice to speak His truth over our insecurities.  What a privilege to look into each other’s eyes, see and know the pain of doubt, and compassionately but confidently say, “let’s not listen to these lies, let’s seek the Father’s heart and ask Him what He says!”

We are His daughters.  As mother and daughter, what a joy to grow as daughters together.  Our seasons may be different, but the One who holds our hearts is the same.  His Voice is the one we long to hear.  He is the One who gives beauty to our songs and calls forth courageous belief and trust in each of us as our voices blend in a chorus of praise to our great GOD.

“I have called you by name.  You are Mine.”  Isaiah 43:1

“I will be a Father to you, and you will be My daughters,” says the LORD Almighty.  2 Corinthians 6:18

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  Jeremiah 31:3

“My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

“Your powerful arm will protect me, Your right hand will hold me.”  Psalm 139:10