A Chubby Little Cross

My counsel now is to pour on the love. 2 Corinthians 2:8/ MSG I did it again LORD. I hate it when I lose it! Father, why? Why do I yell at Greg and the kids? I am so tired LORD. I feel like I can’t keep up with the house, their needs, and as for me well, somehow I feel as if I have lost myself trying be wife, mommy and perfect housewife. LORD, help! I feel so numb. Where is the love that I am supposed to have when you have a husband, two kids, a mini van and the dream home? Show me love LORD! Show me I know how to love as I should! I opened my eyes to see Greg kneeling beside the bed while Mikayla and Grant stared at me wide eyed with their round little cheeks smattered with tears. “Honey, are you okay?” “NO! YES! I dunno know! I am tired that’s all.” Mikayla clambers up on the bed and lies beside me with her face lying on my chest. Grant trying to follow his big sister’s climb tries unceremoniously to follow in her footsteps, but his eighteen month old chubby legs cannot make it. Daddy gingerly pushes his bottom from behind so Grant can climb upon mountain bedrest with us. “I think Mommy needs a tickle fest!” Daddy says. Mikayla jumps up instantly with a delight shining from her eyes and begins to spider crawl her fingers across my tummy. Greg pins my arms down and with gusto, the two of them tackle me as if I am a treasure that must be unlocked with tickles. Grant watches as he giggles with delight at my squeals, as I squirm all over the bed. My laughter bubbles over and out and I begin to shout, “No, stop! I can’t take it anymore! Stop!” Greg and Mikayla laugh at my predicament and press harder in tickling me. So I shout louder. Suddenly Grant jumps on top of me and lays his little chubby body across mine. He covers as much of my legs with his as he can. He stretches out his arms across mine and his torso covers me. He cries out, “DON’T HURT MY MOMMY!” My nose begins to burn as tears well up in my eyes. What a sweet cherub I have in him! The mother’s heart in me begins to break. Love is sacrifice. Grantie willingly laid his life across mine to sacrifice himself to protect me. His body formed a cross as he covered me. Now my tears roll down my cheeks as I remember my prayer, “LORD, show me love!” GOD reminded through my little guy of the cross and the sacrificial love of Jesus for me. Cleaning house and meeting my family’s needs almost instantly became my delight. Love, laughter and one little guy reminded me true love is not about my emotions but in the giving of self. Father, forgive me for grumbling and complaining. I return to You and to my family. You, Father are my first love and I love them, too! Thank You for reminding me that love never fails and it is not about me receiving but about me giving. Help me to give sacrificial love without complaint to pour on the love. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN! Published in Cup of Comfort For Mothers, February's Intro Devotional.pg. 36-37. 2007