Baby Hands

Tonight as I was tucking my son into bed, I marveled at his 4-year-old hands. How chubby they still are at his age, still with little fat rings around his wrists. The sweet way his fingers curled and relaxed as he was drifting off to sleep. My daughter's hands no longer show any signs of the plump and dimpled little hands with which she used to hug us. I was reminded of a bedtime a few months ago when my son asked me as I kissed those hands, "Mommy, do you love my baby hands?" Oh my goodness, how my heart melted. If I could preserve my children in this precious innocent state forever, I would.


But then, as I continued to admire his "baby hands", my mind drifted to times beyond tonight. I began to look at his hands, wondering what they would do in his life. Were these the hands that would throw a football in an important game? Would they take delight in preparing foods and being near a stove? Would they hold a hammer and transform wood? Hold a Bible and be amazed at God's promises? Would they be held high in praise to God? Would they go into the world to serve him? Would they be the hands that someday hold another woman's hand in love besides my own? Would they one day hold his own child?


My future, and his, leaped before my mind's eye as I pondered these things. And while part of me desperately wants to push pause on life's clock and keep my children this way forever, I cannot do it. God has amazing plans for them to accomplish in this life. I have to let go, heartbreaking as it is, and commend them into His service, even now at this tender age. But I am not afraid, for God loves and watches over them in ways I could never achieve. Now, as I get past my initial desire to hold tight to them, I will choose to let them flutter out from my palm, eagerly waiting to see how these baby hands do big things for the Kingdom of Heaven.


Dear Child, I know the plans I have for you. I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIrV)

Take My Life and Let It Be

1. Take my life and let it be
   Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
   Take my hands and let them move
   At the impulse of Thy love.
2. Take my feet and let them be
   Swift and beautiful for Thee;
   Take my voice and let me sing,
   Always, only for my King.
3. Take my lips and let them be
   Filled with messages from Thee;
   Take my silver and my gold,
   Not a mite would I withhold.
4. Take my moments and my days,
   Let them flow in endless praise;
   Take my intellect and use
   Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
   It shall be no longer mine;
   Take my heart, it is Thine own,
   It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
   At Thy feet its treasure store;
   Take myself and I will be
   Ever, only, all for Thee.

--Frances Havergal, 1874

Spiritual Breathing

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word, just to rest upon His promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"  (Louisa Stead, 1882)


Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Today as I cleaned house, I really tried to put into practice what my study group, the Sowing Circle, has been learning in our Elizabeth George study A Woman After God's Own Heart. We have talked about how to make "praying without ceasing" a reality in our everyday lives. I turned on praise music to set my heart on the right frequency. And then, at every turn that I had a choice to make, I was conscious to ask God what he wanted me to do first, before making up my own mind. It is a departure from my history of trying to please God by my own methods...but oh what sweet peace it brings. It has been a wonderful way to keep my feet on His path for me today, rather than my on way. I feel peace in this moment as I have honored my priorities today by caring for my home, rather than running out to the mall to take advantage of a sale. I know, I know... the Gymbucks do have quite a gravitational pull!

There is much truth in keeping Christ the first breath, first thought of every moment. The peace it has brought me today alone is evidence of that. Spiritual breathing, Elizabeth George calls it - a breath in, a prayer out.

Now, Lord...to cram in a shower before rushing to carpool, or more prayer time with you? I think I already know the answer......