GO:
In her small voice she asks for the things that bring her comfort. Blankie. Baby doll. Another baby doll. Possibly another blankie, but we’ll let that one go if we can have a pillow instead. This little girl of mine holds fast to the physical things that she knows, the familiar, the soft and worn and loved. Little fingers wrapped tight around the loves of her little life, blanket dragging behind.
Not necessarily beautiful. Not shiny or fancy. Soft cotton baby dolls with “shoes stuck on mama” and stained, worn out blankies that have soft fuzzy sides to pet. These are what comforts her, the things she snuggles when she can’t have one of us.
I watch as she picks up the baby doll and feeds her a play bottle of juice, hugs her up to her shoulder and then wraps her in the soft blanket. My little girl comforts. Only a toddler and she’s learned what makes her feel safe and she shares. She only knows the comforts of the physical world, but one day? One day I pray that her heart will be His, that He will be her comfort, and she’ll still want to share it with others.
Want to join or just want to know what Five Minute Friday is all about? Head over to Lisa Jo’s blog and find out 🙂 And while you’re there, be sure to visit & leave some comment love (no lurking!) for the other bloggers who linked up!
You Are Seen
Dear mama –
I need to tell you something today. I need to look into your eyes, pour into your heart over a cup of
coffee, ignoring the piles of laundry and dishes in the sink (we’re at my house, by the way). Kick off your
shoes and ignore the crayons scattered across the floor.
I need to tell you that you are doing a great job. You know that, right? That on the days when it seems
like nothing is possibly going right, that no one hears you or sees the work you do; you are doing an
amazing, brave, mighty work.
Laurie Byrne says
Beautiful, Crystal!
Heather Mertens says
Jennifer, what a GREAT Mother’s Day gift you got by watching your son praise the Son! I know that feeling too my daughter dances… Ballet… For ministry. It fills the heart doesn’t it!
AlissaBC says
O what a sweet stage she is at, to want to comfort as she is comforted. My son is still just a babe but I am reminded of this every time he reaches his pacifier up to my mouth or gives sweet kisses. So precious. Thanks for this! And thanks for stopping by my place as well!
Elise Daly Parker says
Such a beautiful picture of your daughter giving comfort. Oh I just love that. I’m sure she’s had that modeled well! Happy Mother’s Day!
Jennifer Kostick says
This is a wonderful post. I have a son who is 20 years old already. Today, I watched him lead worship in a ministry service, voice lifted, playing the guitar out of pure worship for his Savior. Having my child serve the Lord is the best Mother’s Day gift ever. Our job is pouring more of Him into them. Happy Mother’s Day to you!
bluecottonmemory says
It’s a beautiful, full-inside moment when we see our children loving others the way we loved them:)
Debi Stangeland says
So sweet. Love the new header. Awesome!
Angi Pratt says
Okay this is going to sound so stalkerish but I just found you on twitter, (yay for twitter friends helping you!) and I think you are just great! So sweet, so encouraging, and your blog just exudes wisdom! I’m excited to read more. Hope to see/meet you at Declare! (Also, I’m excited about your giveaway!)
Karrilee Aggett says
So beautiful… oh the power of the prayers of a Mama’s heart that so closely beats to the rhythm of His own!
Alene Snodgrass says
Your words stir my heart this morning. The comforts of the toddler are just too precious for any mama’s heart. Such beauty.
alyssa zech says
Beautiful. makes me yearn for simple times when I could be comforted by my blankie. Year.
Amy says
I am sure your sweet little one has learned how to comfort that baby doll because you have given her such comfort. Just as she learned the physical from you she will learn the deep comforts of the heart from your example. You, my friend are doing a great job.
Amy Tilson says
So sweet.. this is a precious reminder that we are made to care for others. Beautiful, friend.
Crystal says
So glad you stopped by 🙂
Crystal says
Thank you!
Crystal says
Happy weekend, friend! Praying it’s a great one!
Crystal says
You are a wonderful mama 🙂
Crystal says
lol oh goodness, i love that story. please tell me you plan to share that when he’s a teenager & starts dating? and isn’t he just the sweetest…it’s a side of my girl I forget to look for far too often
Crystal says
I don’t want it to end…but I do desperately need to find a way to wash that baby doll…it has been well loved 😉
Crystal says
Amen!
Crystal says
Thanks Denise 🙂
Crystal says
I have MISSED you girl! So glad to see your beautiful face 🙂
Crystal says
Thanks Barbie, you too!
Crystal says
What a beautiful legacy, Debby!
Debby Bolton says
Sweet babies. I just read one post that made me think of my daddy, and now I read yours — your post reminds me of my baby girls, who have their own babies now, who carry on the blanky, feed my baby-doll tradition. And your post reminds me of my mother, who taught me how to be a mom. I cuddled and fed my baby dolls too. I had a good teacher.
Alia_Joy says
That was one of my favorite things to see when my girl was just a teeny thing. She’d love on her dolls and pat them and I’d hear her teaching them things and soothing them. And I’d remember that even when I get it wrong as a mom, she has learned a lot about love, been doused in it from before she was born and yes, someday I hope she’ll know where it all comes from and share too. 😉 Missed you, friend. It’s been awhile. I’m glad to be back at your place.
Denise Oldham says
Beautiful.
Heather Mertens says
If only we could get comfort from dolls. 🙂 but better – comfort from Him. Can’t beat it!
leigh dusek says
Oh I love that. I do miss that my children don’t need things to pacify or comfort them. It’s such a precious time where they are truly innocent. But then it does mean that they rely on me more and then I can teach them how I rely on God.
Hold that sweet babe!! xoxo
Hearts On Guard says
My oldest is a boy, so comforting baby dolls isn’t really his thing (although he has tried to breastfeed his a few times ;)). But your post reminds me of all the times when his baby sister cries and he reaches over, leans in, and says in the sweetest voice imaginable “It’s okay, baby sister!” This is a boy who wrestles, fights, kicks, and hits his friends – he is all boy. He climbs, he falls down, he jumps around, he is down right crazy… but he has an amazing comforting soul. Thank you for writing this and reminding me of this side of my own kiddo 🙂 Love this post!!! Happy Friday!
Kelly Mahalak says
I pray this over my daughters every day.
Mel says
Love this…it melts my heart to watch my little girl comfort her dolls, too. I love seeing the compassion she is already learning. And such a beautiful prayer for your sweet girl…thank you for the reminder. 🙂 Happy Friday, friend!
Missindeedy says
Yes, Lord! Let her (my her, your her, all of our “her”s) seek you as her comfort as she sheds those physical things. Let me model that for her! Beautiful write, Crystal.
Dawn St Amand Paoletta says
That prayer, that He will be her comfort is the one that resonates within me too, for my own girl. Sweet…