Intentional Thoughtfulness

Last night, I was not feeling great for a few hours because of the concoction I ate for dinner.  Ugh.  It was not fun.  

But, in the midst of my discomfort, I rested on our bed...and in walks Mya.  She looks at me and says, "Okay, Mom?  You okay, Mommy?"  

My response:  "No, honey...Mommy's belly hurts."  Her face looks sad, and she immediately...almost instinctively...responds, "Want a blanket, Mom?"

My eyes start to tear.  Yes, I want a blanket.  I want to feel better.  A blanket would make me feel better. Her kindness alone is already starting to make me feel better.  

"Yes, honey.  I'd love a blanket."  She scurries quickly away from me and is back in a flash.  Carrying her "big blankie" and her "little blankie"...HER comfort blankets...she begins extending them away from herself...out, towards me.

"Here you go, Mom."  She starts placing the larger blanket over my legs.  She tucks the small blanket by my face.  She's mimicking what I do to comfort her.  

I am proud in this moment.  A proud mommy moment.  

I thank her and tell her how nice it was for her to do this for me.  I tear up again.  I realize in this moment that this is a hands-on application to her showing her ability to care for someone...for me.  I was deeply blessed in this small, two-minute window of time.  I was especially touched my her intentional thoughtfulness.  

I was also struck by the fact that she continued to check in on me.  At one point, she even attempted to say the nursery rhyme "This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home..." while tickling my toes.  She felt for me.  She was doing everything she could think of to help ease the pain for me.  

......

In this moment, I was reminded of her child-like faith...her desire to help.  To fix.  To make things better.  She asked a simple question..."Want a blanket, Mom?"  She took steps to meet my immediate needs.  Nothing hindered her.  Nothing limited her from reaching out to me...to show Christ's love to me.  

And as a result...I was deeply blessed.

I was reminded in this moment that too often I try too hard to figure out or over-analyze how to help...when all I need to do is take action.  To ask simple questions.  To connect with people.  To work to meet their needs.  Often basic needs at first.  

Why do I allow things to hinder me from helping others...immediately...instinctively?  

Now, don't get me wrong...Mya is very much a normal 2-year old right now...with regular tantrums and desires to be far more independent than she really could be right now.  But, God used this moment to touch my heart.  To speak to me.  

I'm thankful that this moment has been etched in my mind.  I've thought back to last night several times already today.  Reflecting.  Praising God.  Feeling thankful.  

You may have moments like this etched in your mind and heart, too.  Cherish those memories.  Sometimes in the midst of everything, we need to think back to those moments and cling to them.  They're good reminders for us, too, to continue sharing love and kindness to those around us.  Every day.