From Pigtails to Proverbs

"She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
And faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed
her husband also, and he praises her.
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
Proverbs 31:27-30

Twelve lines. Seems simple doesn't it? But God, let's be honest here. It's hard work, sometimes it seems upstream, against the grain, just plain tough. I still feel like a little girl, but now I must "watch over the affiars of my household." Sometimes, I miss the days of pigtails, crawling into mom and dad's bed when the thunder was too loud. No bills, schedules, and expectations. Lord, lead me on my journey from pigtails to Proverbs.

From Pigtails to Proverbs

I long for the days of swinging ropes
Under apple blossoms
Brother Tarzan, Sister Jane
When impish dreams usurped the clock
When innocence smiles
Through crumb-covered cheeks
When hand-me-downs were just fine
Fears were few and easily abondoned
When the thunder got too loud
I crawled in bed with Mom and Dad
When accidents happened
Mommy was waiting
With open arms, band aids and a magic kiss
When I got embarrassed
Dad taught me to forget,
Stand tall, be brave and try again
Ambitions reformed moment to moment
From a caterpillar to racing bikes
Or kickball to four square.
But now
We have complications, duties, tasks
And the enemy of perfection.
Pulling fast and hard
Toward the "nexts" of our former selves
Away from the freedom we once knew
And the joy we ran to
With skinned knees ignored
And bruises unnoticed.
No more time for swinging ropes
Under apple blossoms.
But Lord, with your help,
I find the joy in the moment
Help me "laugh at the days to come"
A playful parent, a whimsical woman
Happy housewife, Adventurous adult
And when the thunder gets too loud
I will hold my child without fear
When accidents happen
I will read your Word
When I get embarrassed
I will run to You in prayer.
For this life is only the first chapter
For in heaven, there will always be time
For swinging ropes
Under apple blossoms.