Five Minute Friday: Joy

You know when you blinked and your baby turned four in February. Her gentle curls have grown out and cascade like sheer elegance all the way down her back. I still call her my baby, but she always asserts that she is a big girl. She is a delight. She has taught me how to laugh at the days to come. Just as her big brother and sister have tutored me as I've grown up into motherhood.

I should be round with swollen belly according to my past track record. Instead I just wear the scars and marks from the three times I have been swollen. I doubt I will ever feel those kicks inside and count down the months, weeks and days waiting for the joy of cradling the life I had already loved close to my heart. It leaves me with an empty forlorn feeling.

Until I look up and see the three I have been blessed with. Three precious children that need a Mama still. Three that fill my days, my hands, my heart. The ones I teach and are teaching me about life and love and really living.

There is no greater joy than to watch my children walk in truth.

My son, he was in bed for two hours when, he called me to his room. He had a question. Clenching my jaw, I told him he'd have to ask me in the morning. He persisted. I loosened up and listened to the heart cry in his voice and changed my mind. I stood in his doorway. He spoke in hushed tones. He had to know if there were people starving in the world right then. I whispered back, yes.

"Then, Mom," he searches, "I have to do something. When I'm bigger I have to help them. I want to help them. They shouldn't be starving." He continues with his thoughts of love and justice and my heart cries.

There is no greater joy then to watch my children grow up to care, to walk in truth and to love mercy.

I opened up my hands again and receive the joy, cradled it close to my heart.

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Linking with Five Minute Friday at Lisa-Jo's place. This week the prompt is: Joy

Officially, the rules are:

1. Write for 5 minutes
2. Link up at Lisa-Jo's  and invite others to join in.

3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...