A Spring of Joy

Reading truths to my children in the morning over breakfast. Leading Little Ones to God reminds us how God is everywhere and we are never alone. I read those words this morning to my littles, and Bear leaned against my arm as we prayed, thanking God that He doesn’t leave us.

“Mom?” his green eyes looked up at me after we chorused our “amens”. “I’m so glad to know God goes with me to school, but I’m even gladder that He stays here with you to look after you.”

And I bowed my head onto the table and cried, tears that I thought would never end.

I heard Him today. It was in the voice of my son.

~~~~~

Bella tiptoeing down our hallway in the wee hours of thr morning. Climbing to snuggle in our bed just as the sun is peeking over the horizon. Her Digger Dog clutched close, she pats my cheek.

“Pssst.” I whisper, part of our morning routine.

She grins, not allowing me to finish. “I love you,” she whispers back, “And God loves you, too. He made me dis way.”

I heard Him today. It was in the voice of my daughter.

~~~~~

Asher finishing his book, then burrowing next to me on the couch, sharing my blanket. I pull him close and he leans his head on my shoulder. “Oh, Mom,” he sighs, “I’m so glad God picked you to be my mom.”

I hug him, “Me, too, Buddy.” We sit in silence. Then I say, “You know there’s going to come a day when you’ll think you’re too big and too cool to snuggle with me like this.”

He looks up at me, grinning almost shyly, “Yeah, I know. But it doesn’t mean I won’t still love you.”

I heard Him today. It was in the voice of my son.

~~~~~

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

(Psalm 63:1-8)

I heard Him today. It was in the voice of His Word, my favorite Psalm.

~~~~~

I heard Him today. It was in a note received in the mail by a dear girl, gone away to college, who wanted to encourage me that He’s still there, He still hears, He still loves.

I heard Him today. It was the voice of friends on the phone who called to check in, to reassure me of their love.

I heard Him today. It was watching my Brian comfort Bella when she was sad to leave me while I met with my Bible study girls. Hearing his reassurances, letting her know everything would be okay.

I heard Him today. It was the voices of my children raised in worship, singing The Doxology as they went through their morning routines. Off-key and loud, I could still picture God’s smile.

I heard Him today. It was in my birthday phone call to Monica, celebrating her life, a life she almost lost several years ago. It was the reminder that He heals, He restores, He gives life.

I heard Him today. It was in little voices playing together in the playroom, the humming of machines cleaning our chimney, the purr of the coffee pot, the whirring of the bread maker. It was the sigh of contentment after beef stew, and the sound of running water cleaning dishes. It was the peace of quiet time and the chaos of play time. It was companionable conversation with Asher as I drove him to Cub Scouts. It was the music on my computer and dancing in the kitchen.

I heard him today. It was in the teasings by my Brian, the little flirtations in our kitchen, laughing together. It was hearing his heartbeat as I pressed my head against his chest and felt the strength of his arms wrap around me.

I heard Him today. It was reading Little Pilgrim’s Progress to the boys before bed, tears streaming down my cheeks as Little Christian faces the dark river before his home going. It was the words of Little Hopeful cheering him on to remind him that there is a glorious future awaiting us. And I ended my day just as I had begun, with tears of thankfulness.

~~~~~

I heard Him today.

And the sound of His voice was intoxicating.