“Mama, when I grow up, I want to buy this house and live in it with my family. Mama, when I do that, you can live with us. I’ll take care of you and Daddy. Then, you can help me with my babies.”
Oh, those words make me grin from the inside out. This sweet one with strawberry hair looks up, smiles and runs off to find her little brother. She wants to play, but he is off on an adventure with his big brother.
She returns with her smile gone and a look of sorrow on her face.
That little brother is growing up. He is beginning to seek the adventures that boys desire outdoors-climbing, racing, growing and conquering.
She sees him changing.
They have been best friends for years – best play friends and that is changing.
She wraps her arms around me and whispers something I can’t quiet hear. She turns on the water, and beckons me for tea.
The table is set with my Mother’s china. We talk and drink. We discuss other tea parties and ones to come. We hear the boys laughing, screaming – never stopping outside.
She smiles and asks about the first baby and wants to know why we can’t have another one. My answers are too deep for her heart and I try to make them as simple as possible.
As we sit, the phone rings and it’s Daddy. He’s checking on us, missing us and wishing he could be where we are…
Home
It isn’t perfect, the walls need painting and things are beginning to break. The hearts inside are growing and seeking the only one who can change.
As I sit back and drink in the tea and the moment, I’m overwhelmed by something I can’t explain.
This feeling of home goes beyond – an emotion. It’s a mission field in the works. Preparing my heart and other hearts that enter to go and fulfill the one command we humans struggle with – loving others more than ourselves.
And I find it – Love is found it at home.
It’s not the feeling or emotion that the world wants to sell us. That love is too cheap for a heart that understands the present is not the future and the future to come is beyond our understanding.
Emotions come and go. Memories fade and hearts grow, heal and move. But Home – home is that place where we place ourselves last so that we can go into the world and do the same.
That is the crux of a Mama’s heart – seeking and yearning – growing, succeeding and failing in the every day – not so ordinary monotony…
So, grab on Mama – grab on to those moments – and know that this love,this home, it’s a preparation for the one to come and each breath, kiss, hug, tear – they are all successes when we are on our knees – longing for that true….
HOME!
Have you found your true home?
It’s Friday. A time for me to sit and pour out words without editing them with Lisa-Jo. It calms my heart and allows the creativity to pour out (sometimes more than others). It’s also a chance to capture little moments in time…. will you join us?
Sharing with Cindy for Titus 2 Tuesday
Love this C.S. Lewis quote! So true. Thank you for sharing your post with us this Friday–you have given some really deep things to ponder. Thank you!
“It’s a mission field in the works.” Thank you for this. Such a beautiful reminder in such lovely words.
Brianna, if we grab it – this mission of being a mother – knowing our ministry begins with these little hearts that belong to God – we’ll begin to see a very small glimmer of the bigger picture – and know that all that we do has a lasting impact – on eternity!
oh you said this so well, Rebecca … you’ve taken us there!
Linda – thank you. God has carried me through some days, I pray more Mamas will wake up and not miss these moments – and know they come from God
You have been given such a gift! Your words conjure up not only beautiful images, but a feeling of warmth in my heart and soul. Thank you for such a wonderful post!
Beautiful words, well spoken. Thank you for the sweet tears. Read this, while watching my two youngest play together.
Kelli, take those moments in – every hug and every kiss. Soon, those little arms will be big and the hugs will be sweet but the little things…those little arms and little cheeks – they will be missed.
Oh, Rebecca, your words are rich like butter. When I grow up, I want to be able to express myself just as richly and meaningfully! Blessings.
Carol Anne, you are grown up – far beyond me – your words, your courage – you amaze me and make me dig deep!
I remind myself often that my first mission is my own home. I want to help and encourage others, but my home comes first. Thank you for this.
Joy, yes, home must come first – our children are blessings from God. By serving them, we are serving him. You are such a blessing to me.
Oh, your words fell and hit deeply onto my heart during this quiet time in the wee hours of the morning. Home is yes really the place where all these great growing things happen, even under the surface of so much time and concern over looks of a place but if the foundations are good in both the family and the place then the slow growth of early spring sets things up in God’s timing for a lovely Summer and harvest. My eldest is now 18, still so much to discuss with her and so much I have to release for her to keep on growing into herself. My boys 14 and 8 are growing too, so much of the weeds that might want to distract them from their growth. Both boys are in public school for now, the older of the two boys is coming home first, we’ve tried p.s. and we’re done with it for him. The youngest is not too far behind in the doneness but there are still somethings I’m unsure about. Our local p.s. does really well at the k-3 level and helps to get the structure down and some of the basics that I’m not confident with yet. But yes occasionally I see that winter is passing and newness is happening and I couldn’t be more pleased. So glad you had that lovely tea time with your daughter, it sounds lovely.
Sincerely, Anna
I wasn’t sure you joined FMF. So glad you did! What a beautiful write, friend. Love your heart! <3
Michele-Lyn, yes, I quietly sneak in and share – and encourage a few on FMF- I love the freedom of writing on that day. Gives my heart a chance to ponder and reflect. Thank you!