Saturday, April 18, 2009

When We Fall Down...

"Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way, though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us up by the hand." Psalm 37:23



Several weeks ago, Miss Em was headed out on a field trip to the insectarium. Yes, the bug house. I mean what more fun could be had by a giggly group of first graders? She was excited, happy and even, might I say, giddy. It was raining, but she looked so sweet in an adorable blouse my mom had gotten for her and a cute pair of capris that have hung several years waiting to be the right size for her.

We were on time. Hannah was babbling about the rain and old men and bumping heads, and such. Em had one thing on her mind...getting to the bugs. Now, I know the picture I posted would assume that Emily is graceful as a swan and just as ladylike as she can be. Not so this morning. As we headed up the walkway for school, I warned Emily three separate times that the ground was slick and to please stop running. Well, as we can all figure by this point, she skidded, her bookbag fell to her side tripping her and down she went, on her belly, flat...in a huge puddle.

Now, I had a choice. I felt my face redden with anger while my heart ached for her. I could tell by the look on her face, she was not only sorry, but she was okay and not injured, with the possible exception of her ego and her heart. And I prayed..."Lord, please give me the right words. Please do not let me blow it." And He spoke to me in that moment, rain pelting our heads, Hannah gloating with joy, "OOOOOOOhhhh, Emmy is in trouble, you mad mom? You really mad at Emmy?"

No.

How many times have I fallen? I mean really fallen. How many times has He issued a warning, maybe even three, and yet, my own will got in the way? How many times have any of us fallen from grace? Far too many to record. And in this season so close to Easter, I am reminded that it is only in the sacrifice made for my flawed human self by the King of all Kings, that I am pulled up from the ground, shaken yet renewed just as quickly as my tumble occurred. The Bible assures us that He, Himself, holds out His hand to us.

And so, I extended my hand to her, we marched into school with our heads held high, Em dripping all the way:) She sat down in class and had snack with her friends while they waited for the bus...

and I?

Of course, I ran home quick as can be. I retrieved another pair of pants, floored it back to school, parked illegally, begged the Assistant Principal to let me back in, changed Emily in the nearest bathroom, kissed her little red head and told her to have a super day with her friends and the bugs.

The lesson from this seemingly normal, rainy morning has proven to be extraordinary in resonating the last few weeks. Time and time again, the visual of my sweet girl losing her step has reminded me of my need for His grace and mercy. It has helped me fall headlong into this verse, accepting His hand when I stumble and extending my own, in times I thought I could not.

27 comments:

Jodee said...

What a sweet post! I am glad Em made it to the bug house and even in new clothes! You are such a great mom!

Jboo said...

Oh my -- you are a sweet and understanding Mom!

Hope you having a great weekend!

Janet

Ken Cataldi said...

Thanks for the clarity...I have found myself all too often losing the battle of "deep breath". For years I have been asking for help to ensure I do not become the part of my upbring that was so difficult...and have been finding myself falling into the trap. I will use this as guide to stop..breathe deep and consider what should really be said/done, as I want my children to know the love of Christ through me.

Michelle R Photography said...

What a wonderful post, Heather. Beautiful!! You really need to publish these. I'm going to keep on you about this, because I think you are so gifted.

Love ya girl!
Michelle

Gail said...

What a beautiful post Heather and I sooo very needed it right now. You are an amazing mom.

Kelley said...

I'm so glad that Emily wasn't hurt! You handled that just beautifully. Your posts are so well written, and full of messages for others--thanks!

Debbie said...

What a wonderful reminder to keep us humble!!!! What a great mom you are!!!

Kate said...

You took the time and did the right thing...what a lesson to us all. I hope someday Emily reads this and realizes what a great mom she has!!! Well done...truly!

Lia took her first field trip on "the big bus" without me to the Insectarium a few weeks ago...I was a nervous wreck, but she LOVED it and coincidentally is well schooled in all things "stink bug" now...

Looking forward to our face to face next week!!!! :-)

Catherine said...

Such a beautiful reminder of His love as all too often I run ahead despinte His warnings and yet when I slip and fall, He is always there to pick me up and love me. Great post!!

DiJo said...

Thank you for that lesson Heather!!!! I need a great big dose of that patience and kindness some days!!! Thank you for reminding me to always pray for the right words to be given in truth, with kindness and love!!!!

Hugs,
Diana

Sharon Sloan said...

Gorgeous picture of Miss Em! :)

She handled herself so well that morning, and so did Mommy! God uses our children over and over and over to teach us about Him, His love and our need for Him.

I am thankful, too, that in His throne room we find His grace and mercy.

Hebrews 4:15-16
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

What a beautiful post Heather....sometimes our knee jerk reaction is to get mad, I know mine is, especially when stressed with the morning activities and getting everyone out the door and where they need to be in a timely manner!! What you wrote is so true....we all fall from time to time and he is there to pick us up!!

Have a great week...see you Saturday!

Lisa

Linette said...

Heather- you have no idea how much I needed to read this today. Thank you for sharing what is so true! You are so special to me!

mommy24treasures said...

simply perfect... beautiful beautiful, beautiful.

day by day said...

This is a beautiful post, Heather...just beautiful!!!

Gwen Oatsvall said...

Oh sister, how right you are ... Fallen we all are and sometimes our children teach us the biggest lessons about GRACE ...

Now email your address and shirt sizes to me... I am sending them ... My gift, my blessing to you and you CAN'T say NO because God directed me to bless you !!!

Love Ya !!!

LaLa said...

What a wonderful post...a reminder I think we all need from time to time. I know when I want to "blow up" at Annslee b/c she of course is usually running headlong into something I warned her about..all I have to do is look at that sweet face and know she really just needs my love...

Oh yeah,..and write that book!!

MacMui Mom said...

What a wonderfully sweet and thoughtful post as well as a reminder of what our thoughts and actions need to be center on.

Hugs,

Lisa R

3 Peanuts said...

Such a beautiful post on so many levels...I think it just might be my favorite of yours. I fall A LOT! God is ALWAYS there with HIS hands stretching out for me. As a parent, sometimes I do the right thing and sometimes I don't. I will remember this post for a LONG time Heather:) Thank you.

Kim

Kristy said...

Heather this is a beautiful post that just made me tear up because you are so right. Gosh sometimes I fall so short , because I am so quick to anger sometimes and you reminded me to just NOT!! Thank you for this post, it blessed me.

Love, Kristy

Sharon Sloan said...

DEAR HANNAH WE WATCHED YOUR SINGING VIDEO. YOU DID A GOOD JOB. THAT WAS FUNNY. LOVE, JOSHUA

DEAR HANNAH YOUR SINGING VIDEO WAS CUTE AND GOOD. I LOVED IT. I LOVE YOU. LOVE, GABRIELLE

PS WE ALL LOVED IT.

Football and Fried Rice said...

Ok, made me cry!! I am so impatient these days and so forgetful of God's powerful and everlasting GRACE.

Thanks for the reminder. Thanks for extending the hand of Christ to your daughter..and to the rest of the watching world...

Unknown said...

Grace! Grace! God's grace! Thanks for the lovely reminder. You have a beautiful family.
Keep up the God work.
Lori

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh Heather.....you are an amazing Christian Mommy....I love you so much!

I don't quite think I would have had the same reaction...poor Em...something like that would have made Lottie so upset. I needed to hear this before my day began so that I may have more patience with Lottie today.

Jennifer said...

What a sweet post.

I had a wonderful time with you this weekend. It was so great to meet you!

Hope to see you soon!

Jen

Unknown said...

AMEN! What a beautiful post Heather!

I miss you and love you! I enjoyed getting all caught up today!

Your girls are just precious! I can't believe how big they both got since last summer - WOW!

Hugs and blessings!

Jill

Michelle R Photography said...

Oh where, oh where has our little Heather gone? Oh where, oh where can she be? The blogging world misses her so, oh where oh where can she be?

I hope all is well, Heather.
XOXOXO

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