She's Growing Up
Last night was an ice cream social & baked goods auction fundraiser for a youth missions goal. While all three of our youth helped, only Horselover took any baked goods. She baked up some yummy bars and took two plates of them for auctioning. An email soon came saying they were the best the eater had ever had and that her husband loved them too. They had been a bargain at $65. A smile and giggle lit up the face of Horselover upon hearing those kind words of praise. The baked goods she had offered on the auction block were not only purchased but determined valuable, “the best ever”.
My mama’s heart filled with happiness as I witnessed her smile and giggle. Horselover had known the bars were good. She had tested a small piece from the edge that didn’t look pretty enough for the plates to be auctioned. She had personally partaken of their chocolaty goodness; yet hearing words of affirmation from the lips of another brought a joy and relief. I’m like that too, smiling at praise from others, even when I already know what I have done is good. Why is that I wonder? Could it be because we humans are created in the image of God, and God delights in our praise, so praise from others brings us delight? Alternatively, is it merely a need settled deep within each of us that longs to be filled?
Regardless of the cause, kind words sent through email blessed. They blessed the receiver and her mama. Horsegirl has been doing what children always do. She has been growing up. In one, short summer the daughter who was youngest for so long has been showing signs of young womanhood. Chores worked at with more diligence, less complaining, more maturity, less pouting have all been pointing towards the bittersweet truth, my little girl isn’t a little girl any longer. All this blessed mama can do when pondering this is offer praises to God and cry.
Cry tears of relief and tears of joy at the marvelous thing that God has done. Look at what God has done! I want to shout from the rooftops. Look at the marvelous work He has done! My daughter, this one who used to be pouty, whiny, and mad now smiles as she works more than plays each day through. There is balance and calm, even joking and song; her schoolwork she organizes too. I sure don’t know how. Can’t tell you when, but a mighty work God did do. The sweet little tempest who wasn’t always so sweet is well on her way to becoming a lovely young woman of God.
Years of mothering have proven that emotions will still swell and flood. Words will fly fast and hard. After all, the child is still human. Horsegirl, like me, is still very real. His mercy and kindness she will need. However, no matter how real, how angry she gets, there is something that can’t be denied. God has done wonderful, marvelous works in this sweet, little girl woman’s life.
My mama’s heart filled with happiness as I witnessed her smile and giggle. Horselover had known the bars were good. She had tested a small piece from the edge that didn’t look pretty enough for the plates to be auctioned. She had personally partaken of their chocolaty goodness; yet hearing words of affirmation from the lips of another brought a joy and relief. I’m like that too, smiling at praise from others, even when I already know what I have done is good. Why is that I wonder? Could it be because we humans are created in the image of God, and God delights in our praise, so praise from others brings us delight? Alternatively, is it merely a need settled deep within each of us that longs to be filled?
Regardless of the cause, kind words sent through email blessed. They blessed the receiver and her mama. Horsegirl has been doing what children always do. She has been growing up. In one, short summer the daughter who was youngest for so long has been showing signs of young womanhood. Chores worked at with more diligence, less complaining, more maturity, less pouting have all been pointing towards the bittersweet truth, my little girl isn’t a little girl any longer. All this blessed mama can do when pondering this is offer praises to God and cry.
Cry tears of relief and tears of joy at the marvelous thing that God has done. Look at what God has done! I want to shout from the rooftops. Look at the marvelous work He has done! My daughter, this one who used to be pouty, whiny, and mad now smiles as she works more than plays each day through. There is balance and calm, even joking and song; her schoolwork she organizes too. I sure don’t know how. Can’t tell you when, but a mighty work God did do. The sweet little tempest who wasn’t always so sweet is well on her way to becoming a lovely young woman of God.
Years of mothering have proven that emotions will still swell and flood. Words will fly fast and hard. After all, the child is still human. Horsegirl, like me, is still very real. His mercy and kindness she will need. However, no matter how real, how angry she gets, there is something that can’t be denied. God has done wonderful, marvelous works in this sweet, little girl woman’s life.