When You Love Someone

"For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time
and then vanisheth away."

Two days ago, a group of people from our church went on a village missions' trip (to the village where my youngest sister, Elizabeth, and her husband Ulises are laboring to start a work) to work on a property. The men were to put a fence around the property, and the women were to do the cooking for the men. Philip and Liz and their three boys were going, and they were going to get to be with Cousins Sophie and Paul, and my children begged me to let them go. I called their daddy and he gave them permission to go; so very happily off they went.

My Mamma heart worried all day long. Suddenly, what I have always dreamed of to be the perfect day (just Mamma time for about 10 hours!) wasn't at all what I had thought it would be. After the group pulled away from the church, I went to the bedroom and got down on my knees and prayed, "Lord, please protect my children!"

And that was my prayer all day long.

I finally settled myself down and thought, "Okay, the children are not here. I am going to work on something I could not do if they were here," so I got to work organizing and filing away school work, grades, etc. I did end up having a very productive day.

But when the blue van carrying my children pulled into the gate at 10:00 p.m., I was never happier to see my children. Hugs and kisses lasted a long time. We sat at the table and talked while they ate tangerines and some sweet bread. They were oh, so tired, having spent the day carrying rocks and fighting off the fire ants (or so they said!). We fell into bed exhausted. (Both of them were in my bed, one on either side of me.) I lay there, and thanked the Lord over and over for keeping them safe.

The next morning, I woke up and gently stroked Debbie's hair, and I thanked the Lord that my children were with me. "Help me never to take them for granted, Father!"

All day long, I tried to concentrate on the sweetness of small children...the laughter in their play; the careful coloring they did in their "art projects"; Debbie whistling a happy tune. And you know what I did all day? I pulled them to me and said, "I'm so happy you're with me today.
I love you so much!"

I am thankful for little reminders from the Lord of what life would be like without our little ones! What a precious treasure they are from the Lord.

Last night, as my handsome husband led the choir practice, he smiled a smile that took my breath away. (When he smiles, it lights up his eyes and warms my heart and just melts it right on the spot!) I prayed a silent prayer and thanked the Lord for him.

Then after the practice was over and the church cleaning was all done, he came and sat in the living room. You know what I did? I came to him and I put my arms around him and I said, "During choir practice you flashed the most handsome smile that took my breath away. I love your smile, and I love you!" And I kissed him on the cheek.

When you love someone, tell them.

Go tell them now.