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.
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
Monday, June 14, 2010
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23 comments:
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
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
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??
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!
yay! these moments, they are gold.
beautifully expressed, friend ;)
amy in peru
Beautiful list! So blessed to have found your blog. Glad to be counting with you!
Jennifer
you have such a beautiful mama's heart...
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...
Beautiful words. These days are exhausting, but in those precious stolen moments remind us they are more than well worth it. Thanks for sharing.
This is wonderful... The precious reminder we all need.
Hope you feel better soon.
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
Beautiful :o) Hope you are feeling better!
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!
What a beautiful way to express your feelings on motherhood.
It's so rare to find a post so genuine. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Beautiful sharing....hope you are all better soon....
Mmm, cherish those quiet nights, holding Baby Girls' sweet hand! Love your list...I'm big on those church steeples in the country!
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~
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
What a beautiful post :-)
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
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.
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