when the hard work is in vain
He enters the room like a whirling dervish and he’s grinning my favorite grin.
He has something in his hands and he absolutely cannot wait for me to see what it is.
My boy is holding a creation of his own design.
A perfectly rounded Lego bridge born of imagination and trail and error.
With genuine and joyful pride, Bergen’s hand is outstretched toward me and he sighs/breathes/says, “Look”.
And I look.
I open my mouth to offer my sincere awe and praise, I barely get the words to the very tip of my tongue, when his whirling is irrepressible.
He spins.
The treasure is accidentally launched from his grasp.
The perfectly rounded Lego bridge hits the ground
and
of course
breaks.
Shatters in the way only small Legos can. A bazillion pieces hit the floor, none connected to one another any longer.
My eyes grow large and they meet the ten-year-old’s eyes and I can’t believe it.
Bergen Hawkeye is smiling.
He’s picking up the pieces.
He’s bouncing still.
He’s asking for my help in the sweetest of manners.
And he’s not faking it and it’s no show.
All I can think is — I want to be him.
I want to be like Berg when the pieces fall apart and the center doesn’t hold. When the hard work is wasted and the idea goes nowhere. When the surprise turns to ruin and the gift lies on the ground.
When the Lego pieces crash to the floor – I want to hop back up and reach for the hand of the people around me and smile.
(My word, you guys, mothering this boy is all education and offering and abundance to me.)
7 Comments
Sara
“When the pieces fall apart and the center doesn’t hold.”
That is a great description of the life of a believer.
And what great little Christ-followers you are raising. Keep on keeping on.
Tracy Namie
What a wonderful example of hope for the future – he has no doubt in the rebuilding process so the set back is just another opportunity to do it again successfully!
judy kay
I know for certain that I’ve learned far more from my kids than they’ve learned from me. Bergen is such a sweet, kind-hearted boy with a mom who has given him so much grace to grow into.
Jennifer REYES
I teared up, friend. I love your words…and your heart:)
laceykeigley
Thank you!
Amanda
What a gift to learn the sweetest of lessons from our little people. The Lord allows them to teach us so well.
laceykeigley
Amen, friend.
(I already miss you by the way!)