I caught a glimpse of my mom earlier. She went home to be with the Lord three years ago and there are so many little circumstances and random things that happen that remind me of her.
Earlier tonight I was tucking in our youngest, who is 6 years old going on 20. She was all cozy in her blankets, holding onto her snuggle elephant, saying, “Mommy, I love you sooo much. I don’t want to grow up and I’m not going to leave you, and I don’t want you to ever die.” I reassured her and told her how special she is, and how excited I am for her future and the plans God has for her.
Her bright smile lit up her eyes. It was one of those sweet, cuddly, nose-to-nose moments where your heart just spills over with joy for this sweet gift in front of you.
That’s when it happened: In that short moment, I caught a glimpse of my mom and it was as if my mom and I were in the same body.
In an instant, I saw my mom’s smile and the joy on her face as she looked at me with such happiness and love — which was probably a million times throughout our years together, over the smallest of things and mostly for no reason at all, just because. And that’s exactly the same way I was looking at my mini-me as she spoke to me some of the same things I would’ve said to my mom when I was small.
Children mirroring parents. It’s awe-inspiring and a little frightening how much we learn from each other without even trying.
Not only did I experience my mom’s love for me on another level, but I glimpsed the heart of God.
We, as parents, and our parents, and generations before, pour out love for our children as unconditionally as we possibly can. How much more does our Father God love us?
For as much as our hearts overflow when our children say, “I love you”, how much more do we bless the heart of God when we worship, adore, praise, and share our hearts with Him?
Be encouraged that God is in every second of our lives, constantly watching over us, constantly walking with us, and constantly loving us even when we feel unlovable, even when we run away, even when we mess up.
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God…”
— 1 John 3:1
This is absolutely inspired, Kimberly!! What a beautiful moment to capture in writing to share with us. This is such a perfect portrait of a mother’s love for her children, giving us a glimpse into a reflection of God’s unfathomable love for His children.
I feel compelled to tell you that your story reminds me of a similar experience I had when I was about 19 years old. I had just started babysitting a little girl who was not even a year old. She was crying uncontrollably, so I picked her up and held her close to me. I comforted her by gently rocking her back and forth, speaking softly to her.
The crying did not stop immediately, but in the midst of this, a startlingly vivid awareness rushed over me with the thought that Christ living in me was able to use me to hold and comfort this precious little one, His very own creation. Not just using me as in putting me there in that moment for that purpose, but on a much, much deeper level than that. It was as if He and I were one (His Spirit and my body) and it was He Himself who was actually holding her with my arms and comforting her with my voice.
A surge of unspeakable joy overflowed from my heart and welled up in my eyes as I continued to hold her, and rock her, and love her, and speak soft, soothing words to her. She calmed down and ended up falling asleep in my arms. It was one of the most profoundly beautiful moments I have ever experienced in this life, and I felt privileged to be a part of it. I have never before and never since felt such an overwhelming sense of literally being the hands and feet of Christ. He was doing His work through me, allowing His divine, unconditional love to flow through me in a very real and tangible way.
It was truly amazing, and your writing brought it all back for me. Thank you for allowing me to share in your special moment. God bless you always!
Dorinda, Thank you so much for commenting and sharing your story! It brings me joy to see how God can take a moment in our lives and use it if we’re willing to share it. God bless you!