The last time you heard from me here was November of 2020. Let’s see, since then, we’ve all lived through the rest of a pandemic. I’ve had another baby, and I’ve moved (same town, different house).

I’ve missed having a place to write, and God-willing, I may have some time to do it more in the year ahead.

Or, I may not. I’ve long given up on making plans for my schedule… well, except for the first two weeks of this month, when I thought I’d have so much time to get things done. I ended up having one or two boys home with me for 5 out of the last 7 school days. I had a hard time letting go of my plans, I confess.

But both boys are back at school today, and I can hear myself think.

The great thing is, I didn’t need total quiet to hear from God.

In all my striving to do (for ministry and for my family) during a week in which I had little time to actually do what I needed, the Lord reminded me of what was most important.

During a car ride, of all things. With four-year-old Charlie.

Our conversation became the first poem I’ve written since middle school. So, here you go…

(A quick reminder to us in the Digital Age. Poems are to be read slowly. You don’t want to miss the details. So, take a long, deep breath…really do it, it’ll feel good…deep breath… and then begin.)

OFFERING

From the back seat

He calls,

“Mom, I will save

My last gummy bear 

For you.”

My heart swells.

“I’ll give it to you at home.”

My heart swells.

“Look, Mom, it’s stuck

To my lip.”

My heart swells.

“I just took one lick

That’s all.”

My heart swells.

I smile,

“You can have it,

Buddy.”

“No, I’ll save it

For you.”

I hear spitting sounds.

“I spit it out

For you, Mom.”

I cringe.

My heart swells.

“You can eat it, 

Baby.”

“No,

I’ll save it.”

“No really,

You enjoy it.”

“Okay, Mom. 

I love you!”

My heart swells.

***

What stuck out to you?

What do you long to give God yet struggle to do?

My conversation with 4-year-old Charlie this week made me think about how we bring our “offerings” to God, whatever they may be in our minds that we think would please Him, but how we usually fail to give Him what we promise.

But that doesn’t change His love for us.

Ultimately, He just loves us and wants us to love Him back with our whole heart. That’s what He really wants.

(And to love others the same way.)

Our “offerings,” completed or incomplete, don’t change His love for us.

This Advent season, may you rest in that kind of love.

Love, Molly