I'm beginning to realize that a lot of what I will end up teaching my kids will be in dispelling the lies that the world tells them.  I pray that God puts His love in them for themselves and for those around them, even when they come home crying because their hearts are "too soft" for the cruel world.  Let them take the blows, and search for ways to understand that hurt leads to hurt, but that they can stop the cycle.  Let them be soft to learn and grow in all directions.  Let them have straight spines and proud shoulders and expressive eyes that see the truth and show that truth to that same world that knocked them down.  I hope they know who to pray to when they don't know what to do, and that they have the guts to walk around a little empty every once in awhile instead of settling for garbage.  I pray that they learn that growing up will not be this grand transformation, but that they'll have to invest in who they want to be every step of the way.  And let them enjoy Your gift of life as Your children.