Looking at the backs of our heads.

"And the mother's beauty is a ministering motherhood, and in the old woman there is a great remembering." Rainer Maria Rilke

I was really blessed the other day by an old (and I mean OLD) women from church.  She said that she sits a few rows behind us on Sundays and loves watching our family.  I guess she sees all the hugs, pats on the head, whispers and snuggles.  We kind of enjoy the time with the boys and usually permit them to draw pictures but Zak has to fill in the blanks of the sermon outline in his bulitin in between drawing the latest installment  of "Diaper Boy" ( Isaac as a super hero).  Sure they wiggle and we often have to shush them.  Eliot still doesn't quite know how to whisper quietly.  Sometimes, even though we took them right before the service, we have to take them to the bathroom again but to an old observer, it's all a blessing.  I guess in the messyiness that is parenting I forget that children are a blessing to more than just me and Phillip.  I guess I forget that the Bible often speaks of the gospel in the context of families and that trying, failing, forgiving and loving are all a part of living that gospel.  I guess I forget that love is always a blessing, even accidentally, even to an observer three rows right behind my back.

A break in the clouds ...

Highjacked by a wide blue sky
kidnapped by an arching sea
waylaid by an eagle cry
captivated by captivity

slow the rescue till I see the moon
if I escape before nightfall
it will be too soon.