Being a toddler mom is not new to me,
I have a fourteen year old and an eleven year old.
But – even though I identified as a Christian- I didn’t have a relationship with God when my others were this age.
And so I’m finding that the toddler stage- just like everything else- is SO RICH in opportunities to hear from Him about life and how it works!
I love it!
So the other day, little guy was double-fisting his toy water guns in the car (totally empty of course, I’m not crazy enough to let him have water in there 😉.)
Anyway, it was time to get out of the car to go play in the backyard, and actually fill them up with water which is what he was REALLY wanting to do.
So- I go to unbuckle him and pull him out of his seat, but in order to get his arms out, I have to take the squirt gun out of his hand for a moment.
Just a moment.
NOT forever.
And not because I didn’t want him to have it, even.
Just because the only way to get him out and on to where he wanted to go- was to do this.
And as I’m trying to explain this to my boy-
who is gripping those guns so tightly
that his knuckles are turning white,
and his face is turning red in frustration-
he is protesting loudly!
“It’s MINE! Don’t take it from me!
You can’t have it, it’s MINE mommy!”
But I do take them-
one at a time,
and not to be mean.
I take them, and I give them back.
And then I take him to the backyard
and I fill them up
and then he is filled up with smiles
as he sees I wasn’t trying to take anything away-
I was only helping him. ❤️
I smile, seeing him finally figure that out,
and because I’m a little proud of myself,
to be honest,
for not having lost my own patience
during his little meltdown.
{As I have done before on occasion, especially my first go-round of mothering, having a mommy meltdown alongside my kids.}
And as I smile,
God says to me- lightheartedly-
“YOU see now too, don’t you?
I’m so glad you finally get it.
That I wasn’t just taking things away from you-
Your career-
Dreams of using your gifts-
None of it.
It’s just that I couldn’t get you where you were wanting to go, until you let go.
You were strapped in, (to some wrong mindsets),
and I had to undo some straps
before you could get out.
And now you are free-
You’re free to use the gifts I’ve given you.
You’re no longer in the inappropriate place to REALLY use them
(“the car” – which for you,
was a wrong vision of what a CAReer is all about.)
Now I’ve filled you with the LIVING water,
and you’re free to go around spraying that everywhere!
(It’s even BETTER than spreading glitter wherever you go! ✨)
(Just don’t shoot anyone in the face with it,
people don’t tend to like that. 😉
Give them a drink.
Water their flowers.
Encourage them with the word
and do life with people,
don’t just preach at them.
That’s the appropriate way to use my “guns.”)
And- know better of me next time-
trust me more-
like your son will learn next time
to let go more readily,
because he knows what follows.
He knows you’ll give them back,
along with his freedom,
just like you did before.
MY plans for you are good.
Even if it feels Iike-for a moment-
My methods put your plans on hold.” 😘
From Full 