God’s Presence in the Pumpkin Patch

 

I wasn’t able to join Mack and Will at the pumpkin patch today. As you can imagine my mom guilt was through the roof and I was broken-hearted.  However, as usual, God knew what He was doing. Mack can be a bit shy and timid. While I am constantly tempted to push him forward, testing his comfort zone, Will is patient, gently guiding him through his emotions.  Mack needs both of us, but today he needed Will. Mack’s precious teacher sent me this photo and it brought tears to my eyes. Obviously I love this image of Will supporting and encouraging Mack. Even more than that, though, I love the image it presents of our Heavenly Father. Sometimes he asks us to walk boldly forward out of our comfort zone (like I tend to do with Mack), but sometimes, he patiently kneels to our level, puts his hand gently on our back, and steadies us. He doesn’t let us run from what we’re facing, but He doesn’t run either. He assures us with his touch that He is present with us regardless of our circumstances. Will is not a perfect father, and I’m not a perfect mother. Yet I’m thankful for this sanctifying journey of parenting and these little thinly veiled moments where God reminds us of His love for us and His presence and strength in our weakness. 

“Here’s my heart, Lord...”

The hymn we chose to sing over Hardy’s life is “Come Thou Fount” because of the line about raising an Ebenezer as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in bringing us Hardy. However, as I sing this hymn to him each night, I’ve lately been touched by the final line “Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above.” My entire life I’ve sung this line, as I’m sure most people have, as an offering of myself to God. But as I sing this while rocking my baby, I realize that what I am singing about in that moment is Hardy. I’ve heard it said that being a mother is like watching your heart walk around outside of your body. I couldn’t agree more. So, now as a mother as I offer my “heart” to the Lord in that final line, I am really offering Hardy (and Mack). My two little hearts walking around outside of my body. “Take them, Lord! Take them and seal them for your courts above!” It’s an offering and a plea all at once. Happy 9 months, Hardy, 1/2 of my heart! We love you and look forward to the day when you will join us as we sing!