There is a beautiful verse of Scripture I have been contemplating lately,
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold, in settings of silver,".
Proverbs 25:11
So much of this verse rings true in this season of my life. As I went about my day today, my body wasn't cooperating. We just returned from a holiday at the beach and my house is unkempt, bags need unpacking, our schedule is off, and I'm now two weeks behind on our homeschooling schedule. The usual mason jar of cold brew and cream isn't in my fridge, breakfast and lunch lacked their usual luster.
Essential oils weren't soothing my horrific headache and I had used the restroom more times than you want to know. All said, my boys were being fairly well behaved considering.
Our little town just got a Dollar Tree. It opened today. So, I packed up the boys and lugged the 32 lb ten month old, 4 year old, and 2 year old into the brand new store. As we rampage through the toy aisle, a lady about twice my age lingers. She paces slowly and my boys keep getting in her way as I gently try and explain to one why he cannot have a particular toy with some scary images on it.
She pauses and approaches me smiling warmly, "I think it is just wondeful how you are taking the time to explain to your children things. They have every nice manners too. I raised 10 children and my last is now in High School. You are doing a great job,".
I'm fairly certain that lady fell straight from Heaven. My heart melted and I was sort of in shock. I stammered, "Thanks so much," and gathered the boys. Her words lightened my load.
As we checked out a lady and gentlemen about 75 years old watched my boys bustle about, grabbing balloon strings, jumping in excitement, and requesting to open their new toys. The lady gently spoke, "I remember when my three sons were small like that," the smile on her face gave way to the joy they brought. "It was a long time ago, but only yesterday really. Enjoy them, they sure are sweet guys,". She reached forward and tousled my youngest's hair. Four years ago, her touching my young baby would have upset me, today I welcomed the admiration and the acknowledgment that my boys are a blessing.
Even on the hardest days, they are a blessing.
Another store, a full grocery cart, my wild crew is growing weary of errands and my headache is worse. I'm tired physically and getting tired mentally.
A store employee smiles and says, "I've seen you in here before. Always with your kids. You must really love them to be so patient all the time,".
I'm far from patient, but those words gave me the extra boost I needed to be patient through the end of our store run.
We approach the cashier and my shopping cart is filled with groceries for a growing household. An elderly lady leaning on her cane gets in line behind us with 5 items. She reminds me of the grandmother I recently said good bye to on the Earth. Two years is still recent, isn't it?
I smile and invite her to jump ahead of me. She looks shocked, "How nice! I do things like that for others, but no one ever does those things for me,".
Tears spring into my eyes. Isn't that how we all feel? As though we give and give without any return. I told her it was no problem and that I wished my grandmother was still here so I could honor her. She reached over and patted my shoulder, "Honey, she'd be proud,".
Our words. They carry the weight of the world. We can impress upon people their value, their importance, or we can wound and break down.
I'm working hard to frame golden apples in silver frames. How about you?
So This is Life,
