The Winds of Change

I love my little girls, and dressing them is my joy - I get to "play dolls" every day with them, at least until they have more interest in dressing themselves. This particular morning we were heading out for a glorious day of VBS at our church.

Let me preface this with the fact that I had been up at midnight ironing fancy theme based patches on the front of old stained t-shirts, because really, how many t-shirts does a 4 year old need? Well, the shirt I chose for my youngest, who is 2, was a vivacious chartruese colored wonder. She looks terrible in that color, but I thought "FINALLY we can put this thing to use.." I pulled it out and found the front had a pocket on it, so being a practical mommy I decided to just iron the fancy patch on the back. It stuck like a charm and looked great.

Back to dressing this morning. Everyone was thrilled with their "new" fancy shirts. Much hoopla was being made and pajamas were instantly abandoned in a mad rush to get fully adorned for the fun of VBS. I looked everyone over, noticing my 2 year old had her little shirt on backwards. I bent down, explaining that "the tag goes in the back" and started extracting her chubby little arm. She moaned, hissed, and fussed. She kept saying "THIS the front, mommy, THIS the front!" I thought she must have misunderstood the explanation about the tag being in the back and reiterated that point. She told me in no uncertain terms that, regarless of the placement of the tag, that patch was going to be on the front. Pocket aside, she was wearing the patch on the front. Realizing that the battle was not important or really vital, I allowed her to choose and wear her shirt backwards. She wore it all day and never complained about that itchy tag rubbing against her little throat.

So my littlest girl is finding her own, unique, and unpredictable sense of style. She is growing up.

I love that they are growing, but as I work to enjoy every day and as many moments as possible, I am slowly watching them pull away from me. I am reminded again of how very temporary my place as Mommy is... I am already Momma to my second child... and Mom to my oldest one.

As they pull away from me, Lord, I pray that they are drawn to You. That into your arms they fall and find that tender refuge that You really are. Help me turn them to You, Father, because where I fail, you are more than enough for them and where I am weak You are thankfully strong. You have been that for me and I know that You will be that, and more, for them.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to and end, they are new every morning, Great is Your Faithfulness Oh, God!