The Future Of A Baby Girl

Crystal Gail Ridlon

This is a picture of me.  I was only a couple days old.  Who would have known the paths my life would cross.  Having my own baby girl, has forced me to look back over my life.  I want the best for her.  I don't want her to have all of my qualities as many aren't good.  I ask myself, "What quality's of mine do I hope she attains?"  The answer is simple.  I want her to inherit or learn my determination and strength.  Who would have known this little baby in the picture above, would grow up, and alter her expected path.  I was the youngest of seven children.  My siblings chose many negative life altering choices.  My expected path was to follow in their footsteps.  As a little girl I observed some heart breaking situations.  I sat back and observed my brothers and sisters choosing chemicals, sex, and  negative relationships to cope with their current life circumstances.  When I was 21 years old, I sat next to my oldest sister's death bed.  I watched her body decomposing quickly as a result of over consumption of alcohol.  I will never forget the phone call, informing me that my sister was being life-lined to a hospital in St. Louis.  I knew at once she wouldn't pull through.  I held her hand and said good-bye.  All of these situations forced me to choose.  I never wanted to grow up and live a lifestyle of partying and hurting those around me.  Growing up I didn't know exactly what I wanted out of life.  I knew I longed for joy and happiness.  I saw firsthand that there was no joy or happiness in the partying lifestyle exhibited by those closest to me.  I'm not certain what gave me a different outlook on life.  I do know the moment my life changed "forever".

My life changed "forever" the moment I asked Jesus Christ into my heart.  It wasn't an immediate or complete life change.  It was however, a reason to live.  A purpose bigger than the one I spent my childhood observing.  The moment I ask Christ into my heart, I attained a new determination and strength.  Strength to seek truth, and run away from evil.  I was a child forced into an environment less than the "perfect ideal family".  I saw pain and situations some children never face.  God protected me in the midst of the turmoil surrounding me.  

If I could go back in time, and change my family and environment, would I?  The answer is an astounding "no"!  If I were raised in the perfect, Christian, loving home I wouldn't be the person I am today.  Today I am strong, independent, and determined.  I'm certain that intertwined into my God-given DNA to some point were these traits.  The moment I ask Christ into my heart and decided to live a life to serve and please Him, he began to refine my strength and determination.  These traits continue to be humbled, mended, and molded to make me the woman God desires me to be.  A woman whose heart is sold out to Christ!  Fully recognizing the pit he brought me out of, and always grateful for my plight in this life.

What does this have to do with my little girl?  I recognize these traits as the key to dealing with a tough world. If I can ingrain strength and determination into her being, then upon her receiving Christ as her Savior, she will have the necessary keys to fighting off the dangers of this World.  My little girl, looks just like me!  She has the same color hair, skin, eyes, and nose.  Does she have my strength and determination?  Time will tell!  I will  however, pray fervently, and raise her according to God's word.  The rest is up to God and her!  Who would have known the little girl in the picture above, would grow up, and alter her expected path.  A path dedicated to raising my babies to be Godly men and women!