My heart is grieved today. A thoughtful gift from my son has brought me a bit of pain. My eight-year-old received a packet of flower seeds at school recently. He carried them home for me in his backpack. My precious little boy thought long and hard about where he could put them. He wanted me to be surprised. He was so excited, he knew he had to place them somewhere I would find them almost immediately.
“Mom, have you been on your computer yet today?” he asked while getting ready for school. “No honey. I haven't.” My laptop was where I'd last left it, by the side of my bed. “Mom, I think you need to open it up.” Samuel smiled, barely able to contain himself.
Walking over, I opened my shiny red laptop to discover the treasure inside. Lying on my keyboard my son had placed his prized package of flower seeds. His gift to me.
I hugged him tight and told him how much I loved morning glories. I told him I couldn't wait to plant them, and hoped he'd help me. He just smiled and nodded enthusiastically. All the while my heart was hurting.
You see, I couldn't help but think of something I'd heard author Elizabeth George say many years ago. “Where would someone leave a note for you, if they wanted to make sure you would get it?” She went on to ask, “Would it be by your telephone, or your computer? How about on your TV? Or could it be possible they would leave your note on your Bible?”
I couldn't help but think of my own mother while growing up. As a child I knew exactly where I would have left my note to her...on her telephone. She was on her phone constantly. Making it very clear to my little girl heart that her friends came first. What I would have given to have her hang up the phone with her girlfriends and spend an afternoon talking with me.
I've been reminded today, I have only been given so much time. My family shouldn't take every waking moment of that time, but should know they are ranked first on my to-do list.
I want to discover my next sweet gift pinned gently to the heart of my children.
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14
14 comments:
Well now...that smacked me square in the face!! OUCH!
Thanks for the reminder....I really must ask myself..."where are my priorities."
Thanks friend...for the thought provoking post today. :-)
Ouch!
My children used to leave me love notes in my Bible on stickies. Then they left home and so do I! I'm on the go all the time.
So where did my hubby leave a note for me this morning (he left early before I was up)? On top of my purse!
Ouch... please stop stepping on my toes, fwiend!
Very thought provoking! I'm afraid mine would be left on my laptop too.
However - that being said, I think you may be too hard on yourself. From what I know of you, that computer is shut immediately if one of your children needs you. I don't think you aqre on it all day long! And - he had to tell you to open it so you could find the seeds!
Way to bring on the tears! Mari had a very good point though - you hadn't even looked at your computer!
This definitely gives me something to think about though. Thanks for a good convicting post!
That is such a great post! (and now I think I'll be turning the computer off for a little while...) How sweet of your son to surprise you like that.
Great post! Your son sounds very sweet.
You've given me something to think about...
what a great post, Joanne! this is so important to remember and APPLY! what a sweet surprise from your son. and what a tool for you to use to share with us. thanks for this sweet reminder!
btw...Steel Magnolias is one of my favorite movies. we watch at each of my scrapbooking weekends and i bawl each time!
What a wonderful, convicting post! Really makes you think doesn't it.
We leave notes on the bathroom mirror, just hoping that the person will look up while brushing their teeth, lol!
Deep breath....and now my heart is grieved as well...bu in a good way. Thank you friend.
Such a timely post for my life. I am totally evaluating my time and portioning up more of it to being with family and being fit = less computer.
This post really tugs at my heart. It is my heart's desire to always keep my priorities in line, and to keep HIM always at the top!
Bless you,
Susan
Joanne,from reading all the comments, it sounds like other seeds were planted today!You are wise to evaluate your time. I have said good-bye to four little boys who seemed to grow into men overnight. I love the men they have become, but I miss the little boys. Trust me when I say, you cannot spend too much time with them. You cannot listen to them too long. You cannot laugh with them or hold them too often. If you are to err, err on the side of "too much" What you have with them today, will be a memory tomorrow.
That is such a thought provoking post, definitely makes me think where do my priorities lie and where should they lie. You have an amazing little boy.
Touching post. A good reminder. Thank you.
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