We had day one of our garage sale today. The kids love garage sale day. They set up a stand with donuts, water bottles, and lemonade for 50 cents. Jonathan is learning how to give correct change, and the big kids have to work together to pour out the lemonade. It is a fun way to earn a little extra money.
Well, after the day got on, Nathan had to leave me to tend to the garage sale and three kids on my own. The best way to cope was putting them all down to naptime. I was surviving the last thirty minutes of the sale, when this beautiful Hispanic woman and her three kids piled out of their minivan.
She was very pregnant and looking very tired. As we visited, she told me that she is seven months along and uncomfortable. The kids mingled through the "treasures" while we continued our conversation over the clothing piles. She told me that she has c-sections, so she has to stay in her maturnity clothes a long time. Being a mom of three kids, my heart just melted and went out to this sweet woman and the struggle ahead for her in bringing this fourth child into the world. Years of long days showed in the wrinkles of her face. I could tell even a few minutes of quiet over the clutter of my house gave her a little relief.
She was especially interested in the maternity clothes. After several minutes of visiting, mom-to-mom, she sheepishly asked me how much I was asking for the clothes. I told her to take every one she could find in her size...free of charge. I just could not bring myself to take any money and just hoped that they would give her a few extra miles and bring unexpected options for the long months ahead. I knew this had to be the first thing she had done all day for herself, and I was so blessed to play even a small part in it.
As she loaded her kids and drove away, tears welled in my eyes. I realized that, in the process of trying to be a small blessing to someone else, the real blessing of the day was in MY heart rather than hers. I tearfully tried to pull my sobbing self together, being "strong" for the other strangers driving by the dwindling minutes of my garage sale. The more I tried to pull it together, the more I felt like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally, over-emotional at the drop of a tissue. I am so grateful to pass along an unexpected blessing and was surprised to receive a huge unexpected blessing to my heart.
Praying a special blessing to the stranger who needed a little and gave a lot!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
I Live For...Little Moments...Like That
There are really too many little moments in life that I wish I could frame. I wish that I could take a snapshot and quilt them all together. Then I could relay the stories to friends, or I could snuggle up under the memories on the dark and cloudy days of a cold tomorrow. They are so fleeting, too quick to catch on camera. I fear that the picture would miss the essence that makes them so beloved. Instead, I will write them to share with you all. Sit down with a warm cup and enjoy!
Naomi this week has really taken to sharing the world around her with Elliot. As Jonathan goes to school, she relishes the time she does not have to share toys...and her little brother. Earlier this week, she was telling Elliot some of the things we do with our hands. She ended the time saying, "And, you take your hands like this (lifting his hands over his head), and this is how we praise the Lord, this is how we praise the Lord!" In sing-song fashion, she wrote a song on the spot, like we've done a hundred times before, all to teach Elliot how something simple like raising our hands glorifies God. *precious*
A few months ago, Nathan and I ran across some Bibles on sale at a store closing. We held onto them for a "special" occasion. Last night, our children's AWANA program started at church for the year. We sat down as a family after school and relayed stories of our day. I told the kids that we had to get ready for AWANA, and I had a surprise to mark the special occasion. I presented them with their Bibles, especially proud to give them their first edition of the actual Bible (not just the Bible story books they had until now). Jonathan reacted, saying, "OH MOM!!! It's so great! I just can't believe it! I love it so much! *pause* Thank you so much!" You would have thought it was treasured gold, food for the hungry, or water for a thirsty soul. The thing is this: the Scripture says it is all three. Nathan's highlight for the evening was driving the kids home after AWANA and listening to Jonathan learn how to read out loud by reading John 3:16. *precious*
You just cannot snap a picture of these precious moments. But, we write them on our hearts. We share them as our heritage and pass them along through the years. I live for little moments like that!
Naomi this week has really taken to sharing the world around her with Elliot. As Jonathan goes to school, she relishes the time she does not have to share toys...and her little brother. Earlier this week, she was telling Elliot some of the things we do with our hands. She ended the time saying, "And, you take your hands like this (lifting his hands over his head), and this is how we praise the Lord, this is how we praise the Lord!" In sing-song fashion, she wrote a song on the spot, like we've done a hundred times before, all to teach Elliot how something simple like raising our hands glorifies God. *precious*
A few months ago, Nathan and I ran across some Bibles on sale at a store closing. We held onto them for a "special" occasion. Last night, our children's AWANA program started at church for the year. We sat down as a family after school and relayed stories of our day. I told the kids that we had to get ready for AWANA, and I had a surprise to mark the special occasion. I presented them with their Bibles, especially proud to give them their first edition of the actual Bible (not just the Bible story books they had until now). Jonathan reacted, saying, "OH MOM!!! It's so great! I just can't believe it! I love it so much! *pause* Thank you so much!" You would have thought it was treasured gold, food for the hungry, or water for a thirsty soul. The thing is this: the Scripture says it is all three. Nathan's highlight for the evening was driving the kids home after AWANA and listening to Jonathan learn how to read out loud by reading John 3:16. *precious*
You just cannot snap a picture of these precious moments. But, we write them on our hearts. We share them as our heritage and pass them along through the years. I live for little moments like that!
"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalms 119:28 NIV
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