I might have missed it.
I stood at the stove (where else?), stirring (what else?), and felt her little arms encircling my legs. I smiled to myself and continued working, cooing love-words to her. Suddenly I realized she was sniffling, and dropped the spoon, spinning around and falling to my knees, encircling her with my arms.
What is it, Eliana?
And she rubbed her eyes, the tears dripping between her fingers, and whispered into my shoulder, I'm sad that Jesus died.
I held her as we shifted to sit on the floor and let her weep. And then I asked, But do you remember why He died?
So He could be wif us? And the sniffling stopped. Green eyes gazed up into mine as she wrapped a strand of my hair around her fingers.
And what happened next, Precious?
He was alive again! And the clouds parted with her smile and the sun appeared, and we smiled and giggled together, and said a prayer of thanks.
And as she ran to get a chair to scoot next to the stove so as to help with the stirring, I wondered aloud, Eliana, what were you doing when you thought of that? Of Jesus dying on the cross for us?
And she said...
I was cooking in my kitchen in my room.
He's meeting her early, in her kitchen in her room. Preparing her for being a mama, for communion with Him at the stove. And the kitchen sink. And the laundry table.
And to think- I would have missed this, if I weren't here. At the stove. If she were away at school. Away.
I would have missed it. And she would have, too.
Thanking Him for every moment stirring, folding, scrubbing... because I never know when it will be accompanied by a moment like this. And I wouldn't miss it for anything.
I stood at the stove (where else?), stirring (what else?), and felt her little arms encircling my legs. I smiled to myself and continued working, cooing love-words to her. Suddenly I realized she was sniffling, and dropped the spoon, spinning around and falling to my knees, encircling her with my arms.
What is it, Eliana?
And she rubbed her eyes, the tears dripping between her fingers, and whispered into my shoulder, I'm sad that Jesus died.
I held her as we shifted to sit on the floor and let her weep. And then I asked, But do you remember why He died?
So He could be wif us? And the sniffling stopped. Green eyes gazed up into mine as she wrapped a strand of my hair around her fingers.
And what happened next, Precious?
He was alive again! And the clouds parted with her smile and the sun appeared, and we smiled and giggled together, and said a prayer of thanks.
And as she ran to get a chair to scoot next to the stove so as to help with the stirring, I wondered aloud, Eliana, what were you doing when you thought of that? Of Jesus dying on the cross for us?
And she said...
I was cooking in my kitchen in my room.
He's meeting her early, in her kitchen in her room. Preparing her for being a mama, for communion with Him at the stove. And the kitchen sink. And the laundry table.
And to think- I would have missed this, if I weren't here. At the stove. If she were away at school. Away.
I would have missed it. And she would have, too.
Thanking Him for every moment stirring, folding, scrubbing... because I never know when it will be accompanied by a moment like this. And I wouldn't miss it for anything.
(photo credit Carrie Butler Photography)
17 fellow travelers shared:
Simply beautiful.
Oh. my. goodness. Elise, I couldn't hold back the tears when I read this! What a special conversation to share with your Eliana. And thank you for sharing it with us so that I may be looking for those moments with my own kids today.
I just have to say...Eliana looks so much like Corban in this photo!
Oh, that is so lovely. Such a testament to your strong faith!
This one left me in a mess. I'm going to find a tissue. Thank you for sharing. I still have a lump in my throat.
So precious , beautiful and true :)
Thank you
Elise, it brings up memories of a recent conversation...even the three hours she's gone breaks my heart. Thanks for the gentle reminder to capture the sweet conversations and the teachable moments, and cherish them.
I often think of how things could be different, of the many things I would miss if we as a family had made different choices. Only by the grace of God!
I feel my eyes filling too Elise. Thank you for sharing this precious moment. I am thankful, with you, that you are able to be there for every one of them.
I love these moments, they are treasures to keep always! And I don't miss them when Emma is at school, she saves them up for me when she gets home...and many are created at school.
This gave me goosebumps. So, so precious!
That was beautiful!! How tender and sweet she is. What a blessing to be so sensitive to the Lord at such a young age. Praying she continues to treasure HIM all the days of her life.
How beautiful!! Thanks for sharing :)
Elise! What a moment :) Praising Him with you for the privilege of not missing. Love you, Q
I actually gasped when I read "I was cooking in my kitchen in my room."
The tears are flowing.
What a beautiful moment, and what a reminder that He will meet us there as well.
Elise,
This touched me and spurred me on to "love my husband and children" (meaningfully, mindfully). It is a precious gift and an honor, a luxury to get to take care of my children. Mary Brooke
So beautiful!
Elise, Are you on facebook?
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