Long blond braids poked under my arm and swept dangerously close as I stirred spaghetti sauce at the stove. Questions peppered me faster than I could season the sauce, and I tuned in and out as we performed our dinner dance together.
Can I help, Mama? I can stir! It's true. She can. She's especially good at it now, ever since baked beans ended up on the underside of the cupboards and we had an impromptu tutorial on the art of stirring food by making sure the utensil is always touching the bottom of the pot.
So I handed her the wooden spoon and turned to the french bread lying on the counter. Humming, I began my diagonal slicing and suddenly, it was as if the antennae inside my head finally caught the signal and the radio tuned in and I could hear what she was saying.
...that's right, Mama. I'm a good helper. Yes. You're glad you had me. And then you called Jesus, and said, "Please, please, can I have another baby?" and he said, "Okay!" and now you have Gideon! But he can't stir yet, he's too little, so yes. You're glad you had me.
Oh, that ache. You know, the one where your hand must steal up to cover your heart for fear it will break right out of your chest? That's why I left a remnant of beans dried on the underside of my cupboards. I want to see them and remember, so that when she asks, I will willingly hand her that spoon and let her stir again. And again.
Oh, I'm so glad.
Thank you for taking my calls, Jesus.
Can I help, Mama? I can stir! It's true. She can. She's especially good at it now, ever since baked beans ended up on the underside of the cupboards and we had an impromptu tutorial on the art of stirring food by making sure the utensil is always touching the bottom of the pot.
So I handed her the wooden spoon and turned to the french bread lying on the counter. Humming, I began my diagonal slicing and suddenly, it was as if the antennae inside my head finally caught the signal and the radio tuned in and I could hear what she was saying.
...that's right, Mama. I'm a good helper. Yes. You're glad you had me. And then you called Jesus, and said, "Please, please, can I have another baby?" and he said, "Okay!" and now you have Gideon! But he can't stir yet, he's too little, so yes. You're glad you had me.
Oh, that ache. You know, the one where your hand must steal up to cover your heart for fear it will break right out of your chest? That's why I left a remnant of beans dried on the underside of my cupboards. I want to see them and remember, so that when she asks, I will willingly hand her that spoon and let her stir again. And again.
Oh, I'm so glad.
Thank you for taking my calls, Jesus.
18 fellow travelers shared:
Oh Elise,
Once again you've brought me to tears. Please give that sweet helper an extra hug from another mommy who knows how very special it is to appreciate little helping hands while they are still little. And love and thankful prayers for you for sharing your heart and days so beautifully and humbly.
Hello Elise...this is my first time by...Mrs Bee, my new HSB friend mentioned you in her latest blog, and I was intigued by the sweetness of the friendship you and she share...so, here I am....
This post...beautiful beyond what words can say...through the eyes of a child we truly see the joy and wonder fo this world. And, within their little frames beats the heart of simple trust, uncorrupted by time or age...thank you for giving us a glimpse, and helping us to remember the beauty of childhood, and the sanctity of motherhood.
God Bless you.
simpleoldgurl
Oh, may my mother's heart learn this tenderness toward Him, toward my children, from you...
Very special. You have such a talent! I need writing teachers....and you definitely qualify! :)
you made me get all weepy. :) Your little one sounds like a joy.
Lovely post!
http://www.minivanlife.wordpress.com
that is beautiful. simply beautiful. beans and all...
lovely. i never thought to explain stirring rules- you have saved me many a mess in my future. the spoon on the bottom of the pot... perhaps that's why my kitchen has splatters. i'm glad you left bean reside. a beautiful reminder, sweet friend.
I think you're going to save my sanity with this:
"ever since baked beans ended up on the underside of the cupboards and we had an impromptu tutorial on the art of stirring food by making sure the utensil is always touching the bottom of the pot."
What a brilliant idea!! I never would have thought to explain it like that, so simple but seriously I'm overjoyed finding this tidbit :)
I love that you left a few behind! A beautiful post! Thanks for sharing it.
These are the actions that plant the words.
These are the heart that they will know.
You sound like an amazing mother. I have visited a few times, from Ann Voskamp.
You reminded me of my chips and stains and splatters.
Theirs, and mine.
Never erase the "mistakes". They are made on purpose so we can remember :-)
Loved your post - my friend. Thanks.
What a sweet moment to share with your girl! I love it :)
Oh Elise, I love reading your blogs. You have such a talent for conveying deep thoughts and feelings. I really don't think you know how gifted you are. But I do konw that you recognize how good God is. To all of us. Love you.
*Sarah
This is so sweet -- it made me all teary just sitting here read it. And reminds me to let the kids help more in the kitchen -- to let go and be less of a perfectionist (as I tend to be)! Thank you!
Oh,my, do I know that ache! It seems to come more and more often the older my kids get! I can't believe our sweet girls are getting so old- Audrey turned four a couple of weeks ago and I still can't get over it :)
P.S. And happy birthday to your sweet boy too!
Hi, Elise,
Don't get to the blogs very often but have enjoyed yours. There is an old book called "Out of the Mixing Bowl" that is full of columns by a mother of 12 children that your writing remind me of. Motherhood is such fun, and I wish I had written more. I am scanning all of my kids baby books and scrapbooks, so I have them to keep. The kids can't carry around all my families' hock and pock for the rest of their lives, so trying to diminish the amount. But,oh, so fun memories of raising those little ones for the Lord. Kevin will always have a place in our hearts as he and Stephen were so close. We are so thankful they both chose to follow Jesus... although at times we did wonder about the two! :)
Love, Nancy Coats
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