GraceFully Falling Petals

As a mother dispensing life’s lessons, I’ve often seen my job as that of strewing flower petals (given by the Lord) in our children’s pathway of life. As they trample on the petals, oh, how I pray that this fragrance is pleasant unto Him—even if it tears my heart.

They say that people remember fragrances long after a memory is forgotten… I pray they remember…

And sometimes, after a long day, I wonder where the last petal will fall.

I’ve been amazed at how petals sometimes rush out of my hands and away in ways I can’t seem to control. Sometimes I’m completely overwhelmed by petals of love that whirl away with the breeze of life, even as I try to grasp them and hold on. Sometimes I can’t help but cling more closely to each petal before letting go or hanging on only by what seems like a very thin thread of prayer.

And yet, each petal falls. It must. For this is His calling on my life.

Sometimes the petals land on hard cracked concrete and are purposely ground underfoot while sparks fly from beloved eyes.

But sometimes the petals have a soft landing; in well tilled velvety soft soil… And they grow in ways we never expected, blooming beautifully and abundantly. And we see our dear children—as the Lord sees them—peeking out at us through those lovely petals…

And that’s what makes it all worthwhile.

Picture © 1999 by ooly!

Baby Steps

"Teach Me to Walk" © Jean Keaton: http://www.keatonprints.com/prints_love.htm . Special permission was granted for me to use it in my blog. Please note: Jean Keaton's lovely pencil drawings are fully protected by copyright.

She wraps her chubby hands around the folds of the crocheted blanket that lies on the couch. Her fingers dig into the holes and she begins struggling to rise up onto her wobbly legs. They are not yet completely stable, but they are now strong enough to easily support her weight. It wasn’t long ago that she could only walk holding onto Daddy’s hand. But now, she boldly steps forth into the world… Wondering where this newness will take her.

Slowly she lets the blanket slip out of her fingers as she takes her first tentative step. The first step she’s ever taken by herself.

She stumbles and falls hitting her head on the corner of the coffee table. Before the second sob gurgles forth from her rose bud lips, her Daddy is there, scooping her up in his strong arms… His comforting arms wrap around her, holding her, letting her know everything will be okay. “Yes,” He tells her, “the bump on your head will hurt for a while. You don’t want that to happen again! So be careful my darling!"

She looks up with tear filled eyes as he kisses the tears from her chubby cheeks. A beautiful dew-filled smile breaks through the darkness as the glorious light dawns once again on her beautiful face.

Her daddy sets her down, knowing that she will once again boldly walk away...
and stumble.

and fall again...

But he will always be there to pick her up...

Sending much love to you in our precious Lord Jesus,

ooly!