While browsing in a home décor store recently, I noticed a
toddler in his father’s arms lamenting and reaching for his mama examining
merchandise nearby. The boy child was clearly weary of the shopping, perhaps
hungry as it was around the lunch hour. A few moments later, in his mama’s
arms, she played with him their special little game and he giggled with
delight. His peals of laughter were sweet and distracted me from the shop’s
merchandise. I paused and enjoyed his delight.
They continued their game and his giggles erupted again and again. I
noticed four other shoppers and two store employees paused to observe the
exchange between mother and child. As the adults smiled at one another, the
elderly man commented that there is nothing quite as pleasant as the laughter
of a child. We all nodded in agreement.
The pause of two or three minutes in the hustle of the day
refreshed my perspective. God was present in the intimate moment between mother
and son. The mama’s play and child’s response clearly demonstrated his trust
and belonging in her arms of love. He had forgotten his tiredness, his hunger.
I, too, have lamented to my Father God the recent losses in
my life and the weariness of dashed hopes.
Still, I find myself;
delighting in a small child’s laughter,
noticing the frost glistening on pine needles,
captured by the pink glow of morning sky reflected on the
waters of our backyard creek,
tickled to my soul
with belly laughs,
and content with the snuggles of my grandbaby and sweet
conversations with our adult children.
I realize I am in the
nurturing presence of my Father’s love, beloved and belonging.
My doubts,
my angst,
my questions.
Momentarily forgotten and sharing delight with God for the
gifts of daily life.
Being aware of God’s presence and attentive to the treasures
of each day help me hold the mystery of troublesome questions and doubts that
linger in the shadows of my soul with trust in the arms of Perfect Love.
