flower pots

My son is in Pre-K and we had a luncheon on Wednesday for Mother's Day. All of the kids had made these cute cute little flower pots with their photos on them for their mommies. One little girl sat quietly at our table with myself, my son and another mommy/daughter couple. Her mother couldn't come. I noticed after a little bit that she had been crying, and was about to again. I asked her what was wrong and the tears came flooding. She told me that her mother wouldn't be getting her flower pot for another few months because she wasn't here. Me not thinking, I said, you can give it to her when you get home can't you? No, mommy isn't at home. Oh. Well, where is your mommy? Iraq. Oh. Well maybe you can give it to your daddy and he'll hold on to it for mommy until she gets home. No, my dad doesn't live here. Sigh. (not in frustration, in sadness) Who brings you to school? My grandma. I'll have to give it to her I guess.

She went on eating her lunch. The tears dried for a bit. Then they came again. This time I hugged her and asked what was wrong. I want my mommy. Sigh. I was torn, there wasn't anything I could think of to say that might make this poor sweet girl feel better. Enter my night in shining pre-k armor. My boy. He puts his hands up in the air and says to his sweet friend... you know, I think I'll share my mommy with you today. Tears. Mine, not hers. From that moment on she held one hand, he held the other and we went. To the playground. Played in class. Even walked to the potty hand in hand in hand. I told her to keep her flower pot and put it somewhere safe at home until her mommy got home. When my sweet boy and I left that afternoon she was beaming. Hugged him and said thank you for sharing your mommy with me. He got LOTS of ice cream and Dr. Pepper for that one!

Looking back on that day my heart still cries for this sweet little girl. She desperatly wanted someone to care about her and to make a big deal of her being theirs. She wanted so bad for someone she loved to come through that door so that she could share in this experience with them. She wanted her mommy. Her mommy who kisses the boo-boos, brushes her hair, and sings to her before bed. Her mommy who is too far away to touch, hug, kiss, or sing to. Her mommy who is fighting for her very right to go to school and make a flower pot with her photo on it. She wanted someone to care. She was reaching out and looking for love. I said a silent prayer for her. I hope that one day she'll recognize the love of Jesus and realize that she's not alone ever. It also made me think about the sacrifice soldiers make, but more importantly the sacrifices their families make. I was happy to be her "mommy" for the day and have been thanking God ever since. I think it's one of my greatest blessings this week to get to play "mommy" to a little girl who's real mommy is representing our country in Iraq. I hope I get the chance again to love this sweet girl with the love of Jesus. No child should feel alone.

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Dear Lord, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this little girls day. And thank you for using my sweet boy to pour your love on her. Please wrap her in your love and protect her mommy. Bring her home safe and soon so that she can see that adorable little flower pot from her most precious baby girl. Amen