It is so easy to miss out on the people that our children are. Sometimes, we get so busy, instructing, teaching, correcting, and rebuking that it can be forgotten that they are little men and little woman in the making. While our labor seems at times, intense, long, and unnoticed, it is in the quiet look into our childrens eyes that speaks the most of their volume. It is the gentle smile they glaze at us, and the glances they give as if to say, "Put down your phone, I am here, pay attention" . I am welcomed always into their world of play and wonder, yet so often, I am "to busy" to join them for a a cup of tea or to take a ride with Thomas the Train. I dont want to look back with regret or unsatisfaction. I want to capture their picture perfect smile in my heart and make duplicate copies, so that when times are hard I can remember their sweet faces.
I am finding that memories are made when we smile, when we laugh and when we whisper to our children. May we slow down a bit and let the floors stay dirty and the carpet un- vaccummed and the pee behind the toilet wait, may we just enjoy life with our children.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
"I'm withering, I'm withering"
I'm withering, I'm withering! The children despretely said, as I was watering the garden while they jumped on the trampoline, begging me to wet them as they often do. While they continued to pretend they were flowers that needed to be watered, I was reminded that in way my children are a garden that need watering daily.
Their thirsty little souls cry out and whisper in this parched land, "I'm withering, I'm withering." It was a loud whisper of encouragement that my job as a mother is crucial in the growth of my garden. That the watering I do today will determine thier growth. It was as if I could hear their spirits say, Give me Jesus we are withering, we are thirsty.
Jesus is the living water and all who drink of Him will be satisfied. My garden will flourish when watered with Jesus, in this dry and weary land where there is no water to drink, Jesus will be a well to their thirsty little souls!
May they bloom and be like a city on a hill who's light can not be hidden, whose leaves do not wither or dry out, who is firmly planted like a tree planted by a stream.
Their thirsty little souls cry out and whisper in this parched land, "I'm withering, I'm withering." It was a loud whisper of encouragement that my job as a mother is crucial in the growth of my garden. That the watering I do today will determine thier growth. It was as if I could hear their spirits say, Give me Jesus we are withering, we are thirsty.
Jesus is the living water and all who drink of Him will be satisfied. My garden will flourish when watered with Jesus, in this dry and weary land where there is no water to drink, Jesus will be a well to their thirsty little souls!
May they bloom and be like a city on a hill who's light can not be hidden, whose leaves do not wither or dry out, who is firmly planted like a tree planted by a stream.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
A memory is often found in a whisper
With tomorrow being Mothers Day, I couldnt help but remember my own mother who passed away over 13years ago. Yet, despite her death I will always remember her in the whisper of my memories.
I know I am not the only one with the scars of death that has left its pierce upon my soul. Mothers Day, for some is a mere tragedy rather than a joy. Its a day of mourning, hurt, and even regret. Some have lost a mother, grandmother, a child, or are haunted by a decision years ago that left them regretful, yet are painfully reminded of "what could have been" every Mothers Day.
Mothers Day has a way of whispering to us "Mother". The memories of our childhood flash into our minds, the sweetness of our mothers cross our hearts leaving us with a smile. We are whispered the reminder of our Mother, of being a Mother, and the potential of being a Mother.
I dont know what you will be whispered this Mothers Day, but I'd like to whisper the hope that is found in the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, who through his life, death and ressurection has conquered death and its sting. Jesus bore our grief, our sin, our regret, our pain, and our hurt. While on the cross he whispered "It is Finished". I hope that you find comfort in his life. May you have hope in his whisper this Mothers Day! That he has loved you with an everlasting love.
I know I am not the only one with the scars of death that has left its pierce upon my soul. Mothers Day, for some is a mere tragedy rather than a joy. Its a day of mourning, hurt, and even regret. Some have lost a mother, grandmother, a child, or are haunted by a decision years ago that left them regretful, yet are painfully reminded of "what could have been" every Mothers Day.
Mothers Day has a way of whispering to us "Mother". The memories of our childhood flash into our minds, the sweetness of our mothers cross our hearts leaving us with a smile. We are whispered the reminder of our Mother, of being a Mother, and the potential of being a Mother.
I dont know what you will be whispered this Mothers Day, but I'd like to whisper the hope that is found in the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, who through his life, death and ressurection has conquered death and its sting. Jesus bore our grief, our sin, our regret, our pain, and our hurt. While on the cross he whispered "It is Finished". I hope that you find comfort in his life. May you have hope in his whisper this Mothers Day! That he has loved you with an everlasting love.
A good laugh sometimes comes in the form of good ol' common sense
A good laugh sometimes comes in the form of some good common sense, at least it does when a 3 year old speaks. I often find that the "be polite" mama seems to come out alot when we are out in public. Perhaps, its because we have 5 children and are often under the microscope of on lookers. Today, however I wasnt expecting to laugh at the unintentional sarcasim of my 3year old boy.
While taking a walk through our local wildlife nature center there just happen to be a wildlife volunteer showing animals skins of beaver, skunk, rabbit, and squirrel. My kids were rather impressed with the fur. My 3year old especially, as he continued to pull the tail of the skunk rather roughly. The voulnteer was rather "big eyed", as she repeatitly told him, "gentle, gentle". He looked at me astonished and asked, "why, mama? why I got to be gentle with the skunk skin?". I then proceeded to explain that if everyone was rough with the animal fur that was there for display then it would get ruined and then other people wouldnt be able to enjoy it and experience it. The voulnteer apparently didnt like my answer when she said to him, "how would you like it if someone was pulling your arm and not gentle with you?" My 3 year old with a big grin on his face as cute as a button said, "well I alive and that skunk on da table dead he dont feel me pull its tail."
I couldnt hold in my laugh and the "be polite" mama was no where to be found. I chuckled and then let out a hard laugh, my sons common sense and logical answer was so hilarious. I would have missed it had I alloweed the "polite mama" to come out. It would have been so easy for me to go along with the voulnteers illustratation of enforcing the importance of gentleness and let the "be polite" mama come out and correct my sons answer. But, I didnt. I laughed! I laughed at my 3year olds innocent, logical common sense answer. It result in the voulnteer giving me a rather disgusted "how dare you" look but afterall, laughter is the best medicine.
A laugh could have been missed had I let my uptight serious attitude get in the way. I am glad that I embraced the words of my son and enjoy a good laugh today!
While taking a walk through our local wildlife nature center there just happen to be a wildlife volunteer showing animals skins of beaver, skunk, rabbit, and squirrel. My kids were rather impressed with the fur. My 3year old especially, as he continued to pull the tail of the skunk rather roughly. The voulnteer was rather "big eyed", as she repeatitly told him, "gentle, gentle". He looked at me astonished and asked, "why, mama? why I got to be gentle with the skunk skin?". I then proceeded to explain that if everyone was rough with the animal fur that was there for display then it would get ruined and then other people wouldnt be able to enjoy it and experience it. The voulnteer apparently didnt like my answer when she said to him, "how would you like it if someone was pulling your arm and not gentle with you?" My 3 year old with a big grin on his face as cute as a button said, "well I alive and that skunk on da table dead he dont feel me pull its tail."
I couldnt hold in my laugh and the "be polite" mama was no where to be found. I chuckled and then let out a hard laugh, my sons common sense and logical answer was so hilarious. I would have missed it had I alloweed the "polite mama" to come out. It would have been so easy for me to go along with the voulnteers illustratation of enforcing the importance of gentleness and let the "be polite" mama come out and correct my sons answer. But, I didnt. I laughed! I laughed at my 3year olds innocent, logical common sense answer. It result in the voulnteer giving me a rather disgusted "how dare you" look but afterall, laughter is the best medicine.
A laugh could have been missed had I let my uptight serious attitude get in the way. I am glad that I embraced the words of my son and enjoy a good laugh today!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Whispers can be found in a dance sometimes
I could have missed the whisper in his eyes when he grabbed me from behind, and swirled me around to dance. It would have been to easy to say, not now my chicken is going to burn, or say something of a cutting of a remark at his out of character dance. Although, my heart was captivated by his gesture and I am glad it was. The whisper in his eyes seem to be a moment of eternity. I'm glad I embraced his gentle stroke of my back and swirl of my hand. He spoke no fancy word, but he knew how to speak in such a way that would capture my attention, my heart,and my admiration all in a moments dance. His whisper seem to say, "I am yours and You are mine", "I delight in you", "I cherish you", "You complete me", and "You satisfy me". I never imagined a dance could speak so loudly to me. Perhaps, I just didnt listen before.
My 9year old gleamed with a smile watching on, her eyes filled with delight seeing her daddy and her mommy dance in the kitchen. Her eyes whispered to us, "Oh, how I wait to have what you two have, oh how I long to love like you two love." Its easy to miss a whisper in a dance, a whisper in a look, a whisper in a touch. But, the whisper is there if you only listen close enough!
My 9year old gleamed with a smile watching on, her eyes filled with delight seeing her daddy and her mommy dance in the kitchen. Her eyes whispered to us, "Oh, how I wait to have what you two have, oh how I long to love like you two love." Its easy to miss a whisper in a dance, a whisper in a look, a whisper in a touch. But, the whisper is there if you only listen close enough!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Smiles are made with mud sometimes
Today I saw 5 little smiles, that lit my heart into a blaze. I didnt realize how easy it is to miss such sweetness. It feels like I am often saying, No, Not now, Stop, Don't do that, That's not Nice, Please be Kind, Use your manners, Are you sure thats a good idea, Wait, I said thats enough!
Sometimes I forget to say whats most important, that requires no words at all, and sometimes I miss whats most important thats given with no words at all. It never ceases to amaze me at how a smile can brighten a day, a heart, and an attitude, mine especially.
My 5 children laughed and giggled and thier eyes puffed with delight (yes puffed you know that squinty exicted look that says NOWAY! REALLY!) when I told them that we were going to have a mud bath in the backyard today.
Of course, from the moment they woke up until the moment they were drenched in mud they couldnt stop squeling with joy. I filled the garden that had yet to be tilled with water which made a huge mud pool, the chidlren couldn't wait one minute to jump in and throw mud at mama. My 3 year old launched a huge mud ball right onto my freshly made-up face. His little eyes looked at me with uncertinty as to how I would react. I could help but laugh and watch his face gleam with a SMILE. This made the mud playing much more enjoyable for me as I am prone to being a little O.C.D.
Who knew a little mud could bring a smile! Not only one smile but 5 smiles. All 5 of my children were lavishing themselves in a mud bath. They were soaking in mud from the top of the their heads to to the tip of thier toes, and guess what, they LOVED every minute of it. This made my face smile, and my heart smile.
It could have been so easy to miss today what was GIVEN to me with no words, It could have been so easy to forget to GIVE whats most important that requires no words of my own. A smile! A smile that just happened to be made with mud!
Sometimes I forget to say whats most important, that requires no words at all, and sometimes I miss whats most important thats given with no words at all. It never ceases to amaze me at how a smile can brighten a day, a heart, and an attitude, mine especially.
My 5 children laughed and giggled and thier eyes puffed with delight (yes puffed you know that squinty exicted look that says NOWAY! REALLY!) when I told them that we were going to have a mud bath in the backyard today.
Of course, from the moment they woke up until the moment they were drenched in mud they couldnt stop squeling with joy. I filled the garden that had yet to be tilled with water which made a huge mud pool, the chidlren couldn't wait one minute to jump in and throw mud at mama. My 3 year old launched a huge mud ball right onto my freshly made-up face. His little eyes looked at me with uncertinty as to how I would react. I could help but laugh and watch his face gleam with a SMILE. This made the mud playing much more enjoyable for me as I am prone to being a little O.C.D.
Who knew a little mud could bring a smile! Not only one smile but 5 smiles. All 5 of my children were lavishing themselves in a mud bath. They were soaking in mud from the top of the their heads to to the tip of thier toes, and guess what, they LOVED every minute of it. This made my face smile, and my heart smile.
It could have been so easy to miss today what was GIVEN to me with no words, It could have been so easy to forget to GIVE whats most important that requires no words of my own. A smile! A smile that just happened to be made with mud!
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