The Cowgirl's Biggest Promise

Yesterday the Cowgirl made one of the biggest choices of her life.
But it's more than just a choice. It's a promise.
Not a promise to me or any other person on Earth.
She made the choice to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and made the promise to be a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ.
She stepped into a pool of water and into the arms of her father who holds the priesthood and was baptized just like the Savior in the Jordan River.
And I can't help but think of what this promise means for her future.

Someday she will be talked about.
She will be laughed at.
She will hear the word "Mormon" whispered as she passes people at school.
Someone will mention that she doesn't make out with boys. Or drink beer. Or drink lattes. Or drink Coke, for that matter.
She will get left out of all the fun birthday parties on Sundays and won't get a job she wants when she won't work on the Sabbath.
People will tell her she isn't a Christian.
People will tell her she is closed-minded.
People will tell her a lot of things.
She will wake up at five in the morning to go to church every day before High School.
When people swear or take the Lord's name in vain it will hurt her ears.
No one will believe her when she says she never cusses. (No one ever believes that one!)
She will be different.

But good different.

She will be a light.

She will be a clean-talking, pure-living, church-going, truth-telling light.
She already is. At our last parent teacher conference her teacher said that she noticed the Cowgirl had very different values from other students. She pointed out that the Cowgirl doesn't talk about actors or pop stars or brands or labels or money. She talks about how much she loves her family and friends.

And that is why I celebrate her choice despite the hardships that lay ahead.
The blessings are so much greater than the sacrifices.
And I know that many of those whispers will be whispers of admiration and respect and love.
And there is only one whisper that really matters in our lives - the still, small whisper of the Holy Ghost guiding us on our way.
And His whisper will say, "Keep your head up. Keep your heart pure. Keep being different."

You'll make it, Cowgirl. We've got your back and the Lord has your heart.
You're good. In every way - you're good.