(This was one of the most popular posts on my original blog and since something similar happened just recently, I thought I’d repost.)
A little lisp snuck up behind me at the kitchen sink and said “I have a thur-prithe (surprise) for you Mommy! Squash your eyes shut!”
The out-of-breath commander just lost her first two teeth and every word captivates my attention. With both eyes obediently shut, I spun around with exaggerated excitement and responded, “Is it another dead worm?! Or a cool bug?! How about a stick…”
“Mommy! Thtick out your handth!”
I didn’t want to see the soft, spring dandelions freshly crushed in the palm of my hand, but the crooked-toothed smile that hammocked my daughter’s wide open hazel eyes.
“WOW! These have to be the most beautiful spring flowers I’ve ever seen” I said honestly.
(Presume lisp) “Put these in water quick or they’ll die. I picked them because I love you. More than the whole wide world. They’re like the flowers in Edam and Ave’s garden.”
“Oh, I see. The same Edam and Ave you studied in Sunday School?” I asked with a restrained giggle.
But now I was talking to the back of her pink OshKosh shirt running away with a one-armed wave goodbye. I chased her with “I love you’s” and something similar echoed in return.
I didn’t need the words. I got flowers.
I plucked down a shallow glass bowl from the cabinet, plopped my new gift in the center, added water then watched as the sunlight prismed itself across the deck where it sat. So this is love. It couldn’t be more beautiful to this Mama’s heart and yet such a perfect picture of MY love to my heavenly Father. A mixture of well-intentioned weeds with delicate beauty.
I smiled up at the sun and bathed in the grace of that thought. Then a dandelion prayer of praise with a bouquet of thanksgiving came from my heart as I handed my words to the Father and said “I picked these…because I love you.”
