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Because this kid…

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I went to hear Graham sing with his choir on Sunday. We filed in and found spots around the room. I zeroed in on him and then watched as his eyes roved the faces of kiddos and parents.

I knew when he saw me because the eyes brightened, the elaborate hand motions turned into waves and the smile that lights up places deep deep in this heart spread wider….

and then he reached into his pocket.

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Which wasn’t really part of the song or the motions or anything else…but he definitely was fishing something out of the depths of his little size 5 khakis.

As he continued singing and making motions with his free hand, he pulled out the prize he had been searching for and held it up so I could see.

It appeared to be some sort of pipe cleaner bracelet.

I could see it was loaded with plastic beads and he was grinning like he was holding up a bauble from Tiffany’s.

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As soon as he was freed from his responsibilities, I got to watch his beaming face as he presented it to his mommy.

True to all good mother instincts, she made an appropriately delighted face…

exclaimed it was just beautiful..

and slipped it right onto her wrist.

Later that night, as I was helping her finish up the bedtime rituals, I noticed it lying on her dresser with her watch and other jewelry.

If I know her, she will be sporting it at least a time or two in the weeks ahead.

But eventually it will take its place, tucked away to be found again a few years down the road…

and I thought of my own pieces of crafted jewelry from this particular artist…

and the ring purchased by our son from the Christmas store when he was in Kindergarten..

the kind that has an adjustable band and a setting that catches on your sweater…

but I wore it for years.

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And my throat tightened and  the tears pooled, kind of like they are now.

It hurts sometimes, this loving and being loved.

To open the heart to the fullness of it leaves us vulnerable when the inevitable changes come.

This kind of love refines us but it does not define us.

To hold it above all else would be to create an idol…so tempting…but children make very poor gods.

So we treasure the gift of them and the gifts from them…

but we do not anchor our existence and purpose on them.

Who we are and why we are here must always land on the firm foundation that our identity is found and held in Christ alone <3

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I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.                             Galatians 2:20Living Bible (TLB)

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