Mom Heart Moments #237

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

ON JOY’S FIFTH BIRTHDAY, I planned a party I thought would please her. I spent the morning Martha-ing about, putting out cake and balloons, making finger sandwiches, preparing what I thought she would like.

The children finally came, and for the next two hours, they fought over toys, spilled red punch on their clothes and the floor, and one little boy threw a toy across the room, hitting another little girl in the head and making her cry. It was a memory of messes, crying, friction, and stress, and Joy was unhappy the whole time, trying to please me by staying at the party even though she wasn’t enjoying it.

When the guests finally left, I heard the sound of little feet running across our deck. I walked out the kitchen door and glanced into the afternoon shadows, and there was sweet Joy.

Dressed in her favorite, lightly stained and torn ballet outfit, she was running across the deck with a bubble wand lifted high, bubbles flying out behind her. I stopped and sat on our picnic bench and watched her as the sun went down. For an hour she played and ran and delighted in the beauty of her own bubble parade. I took it in, cherishing the picture in my mind, and chastised myself for missing the glory of her beauty and youth in my striving to fulfill the expectations of the party I thought would make her happy.

“Oh, Mommy!” she exclaimed, “This is my favorite time of the whole day! I am having so much fun. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful present!”

She climbed into my lap and snuggled up with a happy sigh. So I melted into her little body, breathing in her purehearted, innocent love. Finally, I was able to cherish the moment and took the time to take a soul photograph, the imprint of which will be with me forever.

How can you let go of expectations and throw your own bubble parade today?