Last Sunday we went to church with my parents at the church I grew up in. I love going back. I love seeing everyone. I love dressing up my kiddos and showing them off. I want these sweet people who helped me grow up to see my family and think, “She’s doing a pretty good job.” I know. I know. Shame on me. The good Lord humbled me for it. Keep reading…
Fast forward to after church at my parents house. We were all sitting down to eat lunch. I started fixing plates for each kid. 1 kid, 2 kids, 3 kids… Wait. “Where’s Sam?” I asked.
“He didn’t ride with me.” my mom said.
“I don’t have him.” My dad shrugged.
My mind raced back to the last time I saw him. We were in the sanctuary after church and I told him, “Go make sure your sister Sarah isn’t in the back. I’ll meet you at the car. I promise I won’t leave you.” Yep, I left him. I raced back to the church. As I was driving, I was searching the sides of the road just in case he decided to start walking the few miles back to Papa and Nana’s house. I wished I could teleport. It was the longest drive ever.
As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed my cousin’s jeep and there was a sweet little kid sitting in the passenger seat. My Sam! I hugged him. I thanked her. I hugged him again and promised that I’d never leave him. I meant it this time. She said that the secretary found him wondering around the church before she left and called her because she knew her number and knew she was close by. Sam later told me he figured I’d be back eventually for a baby shower that they were having later that day for my best friend. I don’t think he was too worried. He said he saw me pull off but he wasn’t the type of kid to stand in the parking lot and scream so he just figured I’d be back sometime. What a great kid. I guess I left the right one. His sister would have been scarred for life and reminded me about it often. The other sister would have just played in every room of the church and left the biggest mess ever. The baby stays joined at my hip for now so it’s pretty hard to leave her.
I know there’s a lesson in all of this. Here’s what I’ve got so far: I love my little boy to pieces. I love him so much that it hurts a little. Does it mean I’m perfect? No. As much as I don’t want to, I’m going to fail him. That should scare the living daylights out of me but my heart is at peace though because my son knows that the Lord is perfect. Does the Lord love my Sam? Yes, very much. Will he ever leave him? Nope, thank goodness. I may fall short but the Lord never does. I want my son to have faith in me but more than that, I want him to have faith in the Lord. I want him to know that even when I mess up, God never does.
As we were riding home I got a text from a sweet friend saying, “It’s okay. Didn’t Jesus’ mom loose him at church?” Sarah chimed in from the back seat, “That was our sunday school lesson.” Oh, sweet irony.
My Sam 🙂
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” -Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Elizabeth Doan is married to her hubby David for 14 years. Mother to four wonderful kiddos: Sam (10), Sarah (8), Evie Joy (4), and Sadie Rose (6 months). Homeschooling Momma for 4 years with 17 years to go! Elizabeth’s favorite quote in the whole wide world is: “Life is frittered away by details. Simplify, simplify.” -Henry David Thoreau