In all I am, do, and will write, my aim is to hit God's mark. I will have moments of being misguided as I am not perfect, but know that I serve a God that loves me through it all.
Had a date with my three year old this evening. She invited me.
"Mom, it's my turn to have a date. Only Mommy and Sweetness. And Baby too."
I wasn't about to pass that up. Especially after the string of days I've just had with her.
She took me to a restaurant just down the road from us. No reservations required. It's one of those restaurants one must frequent when you just really need to be told that your child/ren are the most adorable little cuties. You know, those days when you are debating whether to place them up for adoption.
The patrons, however, at this restaurant have a median age of seventy and gladly coo and giggle at any child that graces the establishment. Enough to send any parent soaring with pride.
This is where I found myself this evening. With Sweetness. So named to give my training of her some sense of goals. She really IS a sweetie; it just can be difficult to remember sometimes.
So there we were strategically seated at the first table. All who entered could bask at this lone woman with her two adorable children sitting angelically together having an intimate dinner. The doors opened. Ah, yes, fan numbers one and two approaching....
They drew nearer. She was barely moving, and he was looking like he just might not be able to see where he was going. I internally rehearsed my modest responses to the inevitable comments: "Yes, thank you. We think they are adorable too. Yes, we are busy, but it is a good busy. Ha, ha, ha, yes, we do have our hands full...full of blessings...."
They stood by our table and both looked into my eyes. She didn't say a word. Neither did he. Instead, he drew a piece of paper smaller than the size of a business card out of his pocket and handed it to me. It was accompanied by a tiny little gray cross. Then he said one small sentence....
"Raise them well." He walked away holding his wife's hand.
The card was a poem explaining all about having a cross in your pocket at all times to remind you to live for Christ at all times. Daily. Wherever you are. Whatever you're doing. Live for HIM. Model HIM.
Okay, I'm adding my own words there, but you get the idea.
Then I realized it. That seventy-plus gentleman who looked like he couldn't see where he was going could see a whole lot more than I could.
I just hadn't realized I had left the house with a post-it note on my forehead that read:
Woman trying to parent without God's help. A true idiot.
Remind her to prioritize reading God's word ahead of blogs.
Caught. Disciplined. And corrected. Feels good. Tomorrow is a new day.
Wow! Talk about a reality check! Thanks for posting this! I needed to hear that as well! I think I have post-it notes EVERYWHERE with those same words!
~ Kim
P.S. Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the words of encouragement!
After your comment someone like me drives you bonkers, I absolutely HAD to stop back by your blog. HAD to. It was like a dare, totally impossible to refuse.
And of course, I had a really, really clever reply already worked out. One that was sure to make you laugh as hard as your comment on my blog made me laugh. (I do ask my husband why he ever married me, from time to time.) But, of course, you have such a profound and touching post, that my cleverly worded retort is completely inappropriate. Drat you ;)
The good news is that people like me (the disorganized, illogical, emotional type) are completely drawn in by stories like the one you just shared. When that sweet man is finally called home, you know he will hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
<3
Sunny
www.hot-fudge-oracle.blogspot.com
ps, I'm adding your blog to a list on my blog. I hope you don't mind :)
God sure has a wonderful sense of humor, doesn't He? I get busted often, but I appreciate that He is so faithful to never let me continue in my nonsense. Love your post. :D
Posted by Dianne - Bunny Trails at 10:17 PM, Aug. 22, 2008
Thank you! I'm glad you thought it was so well-written. That's really funny how you walked out with the post-it note on your forehead. Though I do feel kind of bad for you. =) How embarassing.
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! I have been reading yours, and it so could be about me and my house (definitely a nuthouse!). It's nice to "meet" you!
Christa from Crazy as Usual
www.cdnkidshomeschool.org/crazy
This is powerful good stuff. Yes. I identify. I'll read more after this, just had to comment here. We work with some missionaries who are 80+ years young and they never cease to bless me with their perspective on EVERYTHING.
I love them dearly and I can just imagine him saying the VERY same thing.
Thanks for sharing and for coming by my blog :)
I think we think alike.
Hey, will you come to my blog-warming party over at my new blog? I have a link up and I'm celebrating by doing a drawing for a free mag subscription.
Amy
Trujillo, Peru
PS. Come to my blog-warming party over at my new blog I have a link up and I'm celebrating by doing a drawing for a free mag subscription.
You are good sister! I'm so glad you dropped by my lil blog world. Love the writing!!! And the post it note thing...hilarious & SOOO true!!
I look forward to getting to know you this year : )
