My One and Only Baby Girl Turns 11 - WHAT?

I can't believe she is eleven years old today. It seems like yesterday that I held my firstborn child that we chose to name Anna Grace. She has been the apple of this dad's eye from moment one. I shall never forget what I felt deep inside when the doctor handed that bundle of joy to me and I walked her over to her mother. Where has the 11 years gone?

Just last week, while sitting in my office working, I received an email from Anna Grace. Like it is not enough that she is now sending me emails, right? But this email rattled my cage and has me numb to just how fast she is growing up. I opened the email and this is what she wrote:


Hey dad, can you have the church send me a giving report? I need to see how I am doing with my Legacy of Hope pledge for the new church building. Thanks.

I love you, Dad.

Anna Grace


You have to be kidding me. My baby is now requesting a financial statement from the church. What?


Lord God, You know how hard this is for me. If she is 11 already, before I know it she will be "Sweet 16". Then comes 18, 21, college graduation and whatever her future holds. I confess all of that will be both wonderful and very hard for this dad. I need You, Father God, to show me how to parent and handle these transitions.

On her birthday, Lord, I pause and thank You for such an amazing young lady. At dinner, I had everyone go around the table and share what we love most about Anna Grace. As we shared, Father, I found myself thanking You for such a gift. She is so beautiful, inside and out. I have never seen a girl so loving toward You and your people. I have never seen an 11 year old so helpful and caring to her family and all those boys that are coming behind her. She gets it from her mother, God, and that makes me thank You for both the Kelley women in my life.

Please watch over her Lord Jesus. Cover her with Your protection and care. Continue to draw her heart to You so that You become the ultimate and everlasting love of her life. Her mother and I thank You for this 11 year gift of Anna Grace. When You gave her to us, we gave her back to You. We continue to do so, even now, and entrust her to You. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.