You ever notice people when they talk about their children?  Now, I'm not talking about the people who can't talk about anything else......the ones who cause everyone to scatter when they're seen coming because everyone knows they'll be forced to listen to a litany of new offspring stories, which go on until you just want to take a long, sharp object and pierce your eardrums.  No, I'm not talking about them.  But, have you ever really watched people when they're telling you something about their kids or when you talk about their kids?   I don't know any parent who doesn't like the subject.  We like it when we're asked about them.  We like to accept compliments on their behalf.  We like to watch them interact with people.  As a parent, that never gets old.              

We see it all the time.  That twinkle moms get when their kids are being discussed.  I know you've seen it in your friends' eyes and they've seen it in yours. You've probably even seen it in your parents.....the way they beam with their wallet full of pictures.  It's just a brightness that comes over our faces that we don't even realize is there.  Maybe it's because we stand back in awe of their potential and the gifts they've been given.  Maybe it's because we've been there every step of the way from what they once were to what they're now becoming.  Maybe it's because, if we look closely, we can see some of ourselves in these miracles we've been given.       

The other day, a mother came in one of the stores with her teenage daughter.  We were all talking to the teenager and I saw her mom standing back and looking at her while we chatted with the child.  I noticed the mom's face as we talked to her daughter.  It was beaming....shining like a million stars.  She didn't say a word and she didn't even know I was watching her, but her face spoke volumes and volumes and volumes about the love and pride she was feeling.  She was like an artist stepping back to admire a beautiful piece of artwork.  Her eyes were intent.  Her face was brilliant with delight.  She had a smile that went from one side to the other.  And her thoughts were almost audible, "Isn't she something?  She's really, really something and she's mine."

I thought about how many times I'd had those same feelings.....that same sense of wonderment about my own children.  The times when I was so proud that I thought I would surely explode.  Too many times to count, probably.  I'm sure it's the same for you, too. 

No one loves us quite like our parents.  No one sees us quite like they do.  They just see in a different light....from a different angle than anyone else.     

Funny thing about that is that those same parents who love us so much are also the ones who've seen the very worst in us.  They've seen us act in ways that we'd never act in public.  They've heard us talk back to them and fight with our siblings.  They've listened to our rants and watched our fits.  They've watched us be hard headed and defiant.  They know everything there is to know about us....the quirks, the hang-ups, the flaws, the weaknesses.....not just the pretty parts we parade around.......and yet they still take great joy in us. 

When I saw that mother's face, the other day, it got me thinking that God must look like that when He watches us.  He knows we're not perfect.  Have mercy, He knows that all too well.  He's seen us at our worst.  He's seen us act up.  He's watched us stomp our feet and cross our arms.  He's seen us push and shove and He's heard us talk back.  He even knows the horrible things that go through our minds, sometimes.  And yet He stands back and looks over at us and thinks, "Isn't she something?  She's really, really something and she's mine". 

After all, we are His creation.  He sees our beautiful potential and the gifts we've been given.  He's been there every step of the way from what we once were to what we're now becoming.  And, hopefully, if He looks closely, He can see some of Himself in us.





Y'all have a good one!