Tissues in tiny pieces across two rooms. Little hands pulling on pant legs. Sticky in places sticky shouldn’t be. Where are my shoes? Didn’t I just sweep this floor yesterday? Distraction lasted two seconds. She laughs, then cries, and giggles again in a minutes time.
Life. This is life with a toddler. Somedays I want to pull my hair out. Somedays I crawl in bed exhausted. One little body, a tsunami of energy.
On those days when I want to cry along with her. On those days that the pulling of my pant legs feels like too much. Those moments I feel frustration building. The moments I want to run and catch a deep breath of air.
Yes, on those days, in those moments I am learning. Learning to dance.
Pick up little sticky fingers and dance.
Holding her close I realize it doesn’t last forever. The littleness will grow. And I won’t chase tissue pieces around the room. I won’t feel little hands tugging on my legs. One day crawling into bed will feel different.
In these moments I am learning. To slow. Slow dance. While I have her in my arms, we dance.
And I sing Good, Good Father. He is good. Good to us.
Life may feel sticky, but there is always room to dance. So, we dance.
Luke 10:41-42 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” NLT
James 4:14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. NLT
My “foggy mornings” of life won’t last long either. God is also reminding me to “dance” in the middle of the hard times and see the blessings. I will never get these opportunities again. They may not be how I would choose to live those days but He is molding me to be who He has created me to be so I can serve Him better.