A few gently wise notes to the inbox… I’m so grateful for the many ways in which you each share yourselves and your stories… You bless!
“I knew it.
As I read your post, A Parenting Non-Tutorial, I whispered to Him (although I need not have- He had a plan already)… bring these words to mind when next I need them…
Poor Eliana.
We tidied her room before bed, I ordering books and she lining castle walls with princesses. She gasped and dashed out of the room to gather more princesses from the bathtub that lay circling the drain. After a few moments, she slowly walked back into the room, holding a precious figurine that graced a bathroom shelf.
“Sorry, Mama. Sorry,” she mumbled and handed me not one piece. Not two. But three pieces of what was once a mama bear and her cub, spending time together potty training.
How I love this piece! I thought. And then… How I love this little girl even more! [He whispers for me, I know it... that reaction is not even my second nature.]
I held her close, and asked what happened. She explained, rubbing my cheek and looking wonderingly into my eyes. Why is Mama being so calm and nice? she was thinking, I know it.
“Maybe Daddy fix it?” she asked hopefully. Yes, of course he can. And I will remember cracks and bumps and hugs and kisses when I gaze on three pieces made back into one, and a little girl who is far more precious to me than porcelain.
How I want to choose the better rather than the worse always! This moment was good, a glimpse at the peace that reigns when words stay inside mouth, and angry thoughts are taken captive by a God who always sees the better rather than worse. I, too, smell new possibilities!
Thank you for sharing your non-tutorial with us. Our days are made up of many moments such as these, and the simple sharing of one to another can bring about a revolution of change.
It’s starting with me. A mama who is many, many broken pieces made back into one.”
~Elise of A Path Made Straight
~~
“Even when we spill paint, He still cares just as much as when we sing praises to Him. AMAZING, isn’t it? Actually HE is amazing, isn’t HE?
I read you words yesterday and was right there with you…years back, brand new, EXPENSIVE, reclaimed pine, farmhouse table. No writing at that table without something under the paper, if you please.
Little girl carefully, proudly, all-by-herself drawing pictures (stick lady with curly hair…hmmm, looks like me–only with a smile–not me scowling)…lifts paper up and there in the grain of the brand new, EXPENSIVE, reclaimed pine, farmhouse table, her picture etched very clearly and deeply (little one’s do press so hard when writing). Oh, my!
Did I rant and rave at that little girl.
A few days later as I was showing a friend and her husband the “horrid” marks on my brand new, EXPENSIVE, reclaimed pine ,farmhouse table when the kind husband stopped me short and said with a smile…
WOW! what a great memory of her, you’ll treasure that picture because they are little for such a short time.
Gulp…
I can’t even find that etching in the wood grain anymore…time has rubbed it out…
How I wish I could find it. Good thing she doesn’t remember my words that afternoon…I only remember the anger I expressed…and now I wish that picture was still there.
Your children love you. My prayer is that when you see the remains of the paint you’ll remember painting those little wooden people and the joy you had in that activity, because God remembers the painting not the spilling paint. “
Lord, today help me to see what (who) is really important. And let go of the rest.
Photos:
Canadian letter, Parisien pen
