Thursday, June 18, 2015

A Mothering Blessing




We went back to camp a few days later for Family Day and each time we made the drive, we marveled at God's amazing creation, at the life He is bringing from the ashes literally. The Waldo Canyon fire of a few summers ago came right up to Eagle Lake gate and did do some damage inside camp too. But like so many things, there is much to be thankful for.

I loved seeing the wildflowers and baby aspen trees popping up among the charred trees. The variety of colors with a dark {cloudy} sky, the mountains, a green meadow, the red dirt road, the wild flowers and the early green of newly sprung leaves on trees.

Waiting outside the gate, we didn't know what to expect. I mean, what if she has been homesick? Or not at all? What if she'd rather hang out with her friends than us? Or would act differently?

The rain held off for the beginning of our visit so we got through the gate, got parked and began to make our way to the sea of campers. She was ready and waiting and watching for us and called out as soon as we were spotted! Such a sweet welcome!



Lots of great hugs were passed all around and I loved that she wanted to be near her backpack where she pulled out an elephant for Rachel, an eagle for Samuel and a scrappy piece of wood for me. Super sweet and my heart was already full but it kept getting better.

There was so much she wanted to tell us and so much she wanted to show us! It was so sweet and I sensed a peaceful joy in her and a maturity that I'd been longing to glimpse. Everything just bubbled over from my sweet girl and landed as music in my ears, telling about what they've eaten, her cold showers, riding the zip line and more.

She shared from a humble and vulnerable place that she was struggling with language hearing what other kids were saying. {Clarification: it wasn't cursing but just things that we've chosen not to say in our family: heck, dang, stupid, etc...}



We heard about her Bible Study times, the great worship band, friends she'd made. And, I was just about to burst with gratefulness at the growth I was witnessing in her and in our relationship.

Even now a few days later, I'm looking at the pictures with a grateful heart. And, I see the similarities in the hard-ness of motherhood and the burned mountainsides - and I see hope and new growth in both and I am encouraged. This courage helps so much when there have been more days that I can count that have been so hard and challenging in the mothering arena.

A verse that came to mind was Philippians 1:6, "...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." He is not finished with my Emily and thankfully He is not finished with me yet either.

Look at this first photo below - see all the burned trees? See the cross? That cross did not burn. Let that seep into your weary heart. Mama friends - I pray for an infusion of courage today in your weariness and struggles. I pray that you will see that cross that was not burned in the wildfire and the lovely new life coming from the ashes. From one mama to another - I can relate and I know how easy it is to complain about the difficulties in our days. For right now, I'm wanting to focus on the blessings and the glimmers of hope He provides.

May God be at work in my own heart as well as the hearts of my sweet children. These souls - this is what counts for eternity!




4 comments:

Leanne said...

one does not surrender a life in an instant
that which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime- Elisabeth Elliot
this was such an encouraging post.... to keep pressing on, but also to give our kids opportunities to shine and to grow!
thank you, Monica!

Stephanie said...

Thank you for sharing these two posts about your oldest. I've been in a hard season with our oldest for a couple of years now and there are the occasional glimmers that we are making progress, and then a setback. It's those glimmers (like the cross in the fire) that promise I (like most other parents) will get through this season with her and Lord willing she will grow into a wonderful woman of God. : )

Unknown said...

So beautiful! Beautiful life God is writing in our stories. :) thankyou for sharing.
Christina

Anonymous said...

Dear Sweet Monica,
What a beautiful post! I admire you so much for your great insight into God's word and His will for your precious family. I'm thankful you were lifted up by Emily's reaction to her first experience away from her family at camp. Each of your 3 children are PRECIOUS, each in their own way. I love you all so much, I'm about to burst. Much love, Grandma/Nana