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< November, 2002 >
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The Wonder YearsThey really were the wonder years--mostly because I sometimes wonder how we did it. We were basically in survival mode. There were around ten (count 'em, TEN) straight years of diapers. There were also months when my husband couldn't stand up in his pulpit without discovering (usually mid-sermon) that he was sporting some sort of crust, slime or other baby scum on his lapel. Interesting baby factoid: Neckties never recover from baby barf. Getting ready for church was no small accomplishment. I always seemed to find a hole in the little ruffle-bottom tights and twelve shiny black shoes, but only two pairs. My husband was a big help--until he decided to add an 8:00a.m. service to the Sunday morning line-up. He says it was to extend the church's ministry. That's another thing I've wondered about those years. You don't suppose he "extended his ministry" so he wouldn't have to help me get all those kids ready, do you? I moved alot of the readying to Saturday nights. In addition to the regular bath-time agenda, I added the clothes safari, some Saturday-night ironing and (this was a biggie) nail clipping. ONE HUNDRED LITTLE NAILS! No kidding--do the math. I still have nail flashbacks. There were days I was too exhausted to appreciate the real wonder. Other days, I was overwhelmed by the blessing. I found this fill-in-the blank poem I wrote back then. If you're a new parent, you can fill in the blanks in your sleep. You've probably found you can do many things in your sleep. Welcome to survival mode. The kids tossed the bowl of sugar. My hair caught all the mess. Then I noticed a big green _____ On the shoulder of my dress. Oatmeal got my young son goopy, But he wiped himself on me. Baby's diaper drizzled _____ All down my whole right knee. The children aren't trying to be naughty, But, oh, the damage they do! The baby's nose was ______ So there's slime on my left shoe. At least there's still my new scarf. It's pretty and brightly flowered. But wait, there's baby _____ Now crusty and rather soured. But I've made it to church with my cuties. They've not even a hair astray. I look quite the sight from my duties; Still, I'd have it no other way. So while I call some of them "flashbacks," I call all of them cherished memories--because I cherish my children. Still, it's all just a glimpse of our Father's love for us. 1 John 3:1 says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" We can't imagine a love bigger than the love we have for our babies. Yet God uses that very love to teach us about His love for us. If you've given your life to Christ, you are God's precious child. Isn't that a wonder?! Living in His love is glorious--and it never stains!
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Contributed by Rhonda Rhearrhea@juno.com |
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