2010 April | %blog

What else could I possibly be?

While we are seeking one mercy that we have not,
we must not be unmindful of another that we have.

-Spurgeon

A couple of weeks ago we spent the afternoon sculpting clay with some friends.

My dear Miss A worked long and carefully to craft her perfect little horse.

Today we finally got around to painting the clay creations.

The little girls had fun and made a giant mess…all of which took about ten minutes.

An hour later my dear, artistic eight year old was still sitting patiently, mixing several different paints to get just the color she was looking for. With her each stroke of paint is calculated and precise. There is no need to hurry when it comes to art.

I was, at the time, catching up on some chores around the house.

Cutting the corner a little too sharp and rushing a bit too quickly, the pocket of my shorts caught Miss A's about to be finished horse as she held it in mid-air while painting.

It hit the floor with a thud, head going one direction, body another; little dried clay chips splattering every.

"Oh honey, I'm SO SORRY."

Honestly, I was completely overwhelmed by what I'd just done. Accident didn't mean anything. I had destroyed her precious masterpiece.

As I picked up the pieces to see if it was repairable, choking back tears as I apologized over and over, I hear her sweet voice: "Oh, it's okay. That happens."

I look up to see her eyes red-rimmed and brimming with tears as she tightly holds the biggest smile she can give me on her dear little face. And she just keeps saying "It's okay. I'm not mad. That just happens. It's okay." Never letting the smile fade. Stoically holding the tears back.

And I hug her so tight as my tears pour over her shoulder.

Then I carefully put the pieces of her little horse back together.

She goes back to painting, perfectly content.

And I go back to cleaning, perfectly forgiven. Perfectly forgiven.

Blown away by my little girl's ability to love me. Completely in awe of catching a glimpse of our sweet Jesus, with all of His mercy and grace, in my humble daughter.

And so, so thankful. She did not learn this from me. I am not quick to forgive. Or slow to anger. And yet….she loves me like this.

So thankful.

In my failings and inadequacies, I fear for all that my girls are lacking in a mother. But He is here…strong when I am weak. And faithful to complete the perfect work He has begun in them, and in me.

Teaching them and instilling in them all that I can not. And pouring out His love on me through my little girl. It's amazing.