Practical Words for Encouraging Your Daughterনমুনা

Day Five

“I will do everything I can to help you climb new mountains.”

Scripture: Isaiah 40:30-31; Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:13

Our youngest daughter has the use of her right arm, but almost nothing in her left and very little in either of her legs. She gets around the house in an electric-powered wheelchair that she maneuvers by a simple knob. 

The only challenge is that her bedroom is upstairs, and her wheelchair isn’t much help getting up there. 

Thankfully, her dad is big and strong and when she was little, he could carry his little girl up the flight of stairs to tuck her into bed each night. But we knew this solution wouldn’t work forever. She would need a more independent option someday. 

So nearly every day, he attempted to teach her to climb that flight of stairs. They’d start on the first step, and then he’d show her what she’d need to do to reach the next one. Right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg. But since only one of her limbs works very well, it was a near-impossible task. 

I’d watch these daily exercises and silently wonder, Why is he still doing this?—especially as months grew into years and they were still stuck on that first step. But it never stopped Matt from trying. 

And, I should add, our sweet girl protested the entire time. She’d moan and complain as if she were in great pain, even though it was only hard—not hurtful. But it was oh so very hard. 

Then one day, when she was twelve years old, long after I’d given up hope that she’d ever get up those stairs, I looked over and saw that she was by herself on the third step—the third step!

I gasped, and our entire family cheered as she climbed a fourth and then a fifth. And yes, we were all crying with joy by the sixth step. 

That little girl, with her one good arm, suddenly and unexpectedly, climbed to the top of those stairs. All because her dad refused to stop challenging her, pushing her, and helping her.

Don’t ever stop pressing ahead for your girl. Because who knows what impossible goal she might achieve with your unwavering support someday! 

God, only You know the amazing things [name] will do in her life. And only You can give her the strength and vision to do them. May we never stop believing that You are at work! Amen.