Monday, June 14, 2010

Hers, Mine and His

My throat is on fire, and I am exhausted when I hear the cry in the wee hours of the morning.  I struggle from my bed, eyes half-closed to Baby Girl's crib.  I hug and kiss her, lay her back down and tuck her in with, "It's still sleepy time, sweet girl.  Good night."

I close the door behind me as she screams, hoping that it will pass quickly. 

It doesn't. 

I know I need my sleep since I am not well and bringing her to bed does not qualify as good sleep, so I stumble back to her room.  Again, I hug and kiss, lay her down and tuck her in.  But this time I sit.

I sit, and I reach one hand in to stroke her silky hair and soft cheeks.  I pat her arm, and I wait.  I'm so tired, and she's not.  I give up thoughts of a soft bed, grab a blanket from her closet and the "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" pillow that was mine and is now hers and settle bones on a hard floor.  One hand reaches in to connect to hers.


She is mine, and I am hers.  "Mama's here.  It's okay."

Occasionally, she makes sounds just to hear my quiet, "Sshhh.  I'm still here."

And as hips protest the unforgiving floor, my mind wanders.  Christ took on our discomforts.  He left behind the perfection and splendor of what was His and crossed into our dark, lonely world.  He made Himself nothing to become like us.  His hand reached in to a point in our time and space, and said, "I'm here.  It's okay."  And it reaches still.

He is mine, and I am His.

And I feel grateful.

holy experience

Gifts #57 - 83

holding Baby Girl's sweet hand

time at night to think and know

Christ's humility

a cardinal in flight

tiger lilies wild on the roadside

beauty in unexpected places

church steeples in the countryside

new-to-me roads

anticipation

a safe arrival

not getting lost

a day with girlfriends

encouragement from readers

my pastor's wife

The Stinker's hard work

a new dress

hot tea and honey on a sore throat

a husband who makes it

13 years married, 16 together

turquoise

my mom sews

Baby Girl's white satin flower girl dress with a grass green sash

The Stinker's eyes lit up from praise

speaking love to my children

a funny doctor

family who loves on the kids (and me) when I'm sick (still) and speechless

working together to make home beautiful

pretty stone

blooming day lilies



Share/Save/Bookmark

23 comments:

Sorta Southern Single Mom said...

Oh I remember those days...and when you are sick, and sleep deprived, it can be hard to recognize those moments for the gift that they are. But I can honestly say, that you DO miss them when the kids are grown. Good for you! (My daylilies are blooming too!)

www.singlemominthesouth.com

Maggie S said...

Turquoise the color or the stone? What a great list. You reminded me the book I am reading assigned me to make 122 photocopies of a thankful list page...um, i think I am just going to get a little notebook.

1-5
good examples from friends
memory joggers
kids big enough to cook breakfast
food for them to cook
A/C

alison said...

so precious. sometimes they just want to know we're here. i absolutely love how you take any life situation and liken it to God's love for us. can i just carry you around in my pocket and have you lift me up throughout the day with your reminders??

Sarah said...

I really needed to read that. I was up last night with our baby girl also. I am exhausted today, but appreciate the extra cuddles I got to share with her in the wee morning hours. Perfect!

amy in peru said...

yay! these moments, they are gold.

beautifully expressed, friend ;)

amy in peru

Jennifer said...

Beautiful list! So blessed to have found your blog. Glad to be counting with you!

Jennifer

Mommy Emily said...

you have such a beautiful mama's heart...

Claudia said...

This is such a lovely post - wise words.
My daughter used to cry for the first 3 months. It's 19 years ago now - but when I read your post, it felt like yesterday...

Unknown said...

Beautiful words. These days are exhausting, but in those precious stolen moments remind us they are more than well worth it. Thanks for sharing.

Manda said...

This is wonderful... The precious reminder we all need.

MamaMonki said...

Hope you feel better soon.

Stacey said...

These days fly by...even though it seems to last forever on a night like that! You will miss it soon enough!

Hang in there.
Stacey

Jaime @ Like a Bubbling Brook said...

Beautiful :o) Hope you are feeling better!

Anonymous said...

While I don't miss the interrupted sleep of the baby days, there is something unmistakably precious about the midnight watches with a little one. Great list!

Claremont First Ward said...

What a beautiful way to express your feelings on motherhood.

The Caffeinated Librarian said...

It's so rare to find a post so genuine. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.

Karen said...

Beautiful sharing....hope you are all better soon....

partialemptynester said...

Mmm, cherish those quiet nights, holding Baby Girls' sweet hand! Love your list...I'm big on those church steeples in the country!

Lindsey said...

Awesome post! I have lived so many of those nights! Thank you for your insight. How awesome it is that GOd is still reaching! Thank you!

~Lindsey~

Natalie said...

Love it - yes! I think of this often when I am doing something that I'm too tired to do or when my children get too heavy in my arms. All He did for us...

Great post!!

Natalie at Mommy on Fire
http://www.mommyonfire.com

Kate said...

What a beautiful post :-)

Robyn | Add a Pinch said...

Absolutely gorgeous post.

Thank you so much for joining in on Mingle Monday. I hope you feel much better and have a wonderful week.

Robyn

Unknown said...

Beautiful post! Thank you for sharing.

I am stopping by from Monday Mingle to say Hi!

I hope that you have a beautiful week ahead.

Related Posts with Thumbnails