For months now I’ve been trying to find my way to words.
Words to share the feelings that have been pulsing through my veins and the journey that’s been reorienting my heart.
Try as I might I couldn’t find the clarity to scrawl it out.
Then this morning…
blonde ponytail flopping as she trotted along behind me,
it came.
And I hear it, clear as a bell.
We were cleaning, because we have a house showing at noon. Oh and how that’s been woven through this story as well…our home, our little love nest, for sale. Where we’ve laughed, where we’ve cried, where we’ve become a family. Evidence of calloused hands’ careful work all around me. Memories written…sometimes literally…on the bright, oh so bright, walls.
She’s singing as she tidies books, folds the big orange Daddy shirts, sucks up all the little rocks with the vacuum.
Show us, show us your glory, Lord!
I pause.
To breathe.
To take it in,
the sight of my Little busy with her helping hands to make Mommy smile while she warbles out the worship song she heard earlier.
Show us, show us your glory, Lord!
She sings it over and over again.
I hear her now, still, as she’s putting on her shoes and running out to play.
Show us, show us your glory, Lord!
And I realize…
He has.
He has shown me his glory.
He has come to this messy life of mine and shown me the glory that He wants me to see. In Him, in this life, and yes, even in me.
Through the frustrating, disappointing real estate ventures. The complete exhaustion of the dreary winter months as I tread water desperately to stay afloat. Homeschooling, night feedings, dishes and laundry piles and always always the hands and hearts grasping for my time and attention.
Through the disillusionment, despair and drowning weight of sin. Written all over my heart, my family, my home and my words. Oh, my words. Biting, begging, sharp as nails words that cut us all apart and leave the blood marks.
Through the silence, the unknown, the black hours of waiting and wondering and hoping.
Show us, show us your glory, Lord!
Begging, pleading I came to Him. Show me your glory, Lord!
And He did.
He really did.
As we studied a book on gratitude at church with the women’s group,
as I picked up Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts
as I opened up my heart to vulnerability and trust and faith.
Faith.
The glory shone in.
And now, I’m seeing it and breathing it and smiling it each day.
Choosing gratitude as I follow Ann’s lead and start my list of 1000 Gifts.
Chubby baby cheeks, smooth and soft.
Quiet Time – my sweet reprieve.
Bagels with cream cheese and butter melting on my tongue.
Early Spring tree buds – bright green and fresh
Birds singing before dawn
Rainy mornings
Clean, white sheets – peaceful and cool on my skin
A change of plans
A gentle finger, tucking stray hair behind my ear. My girl made all of care.
A chance encounter
My husband’s smile – melting me to my soul
Fresh eggs
Lilacs in full bloom
Sleepy morning eyes coming down the stairs and shuffling slipper feet
Free education
New pajama pants
Worship music in the morning
Novels
An encouraging, fun home school group
Two becoming one flesh
A truly remarkable social worker
Sparkling eyes that brim joy contagious
Steady baby milestone achievements
Backyard BBQ’s
My sweet neighbour in her pajamas in the early morning dew
Suddenly, I can see.
And His glory is all around us.
And she’s still singing.
Show us, show us your glory, Lord!
I realize how great and vast He is and I have to bow and adore.
So much glory, in all the mundane.
So much beauty in all the sacrifice.
Gratitude.
AF
Adoption, Mommyhood & the Rest 