Sleeping in Seattle: Seeing Seattle and life through toddler eyes

I often say life with Jonathan is never dull. And while sometimes I say it in a "I'm one exhausted mother" tone, he does bring so much joy to my life. Things that seem drab or tiresome are suddenly exciting and new when I am with Jonathan. Like before I was always slightly (okay okay more than slightly) annoyed by sitting in traffic and construction, but with Jonathan it is a thrilling opportunity to look at trucks and hear him exclaim "Diggers! Push dirt! Scoop rock!". Or how excited he gets to see mommy "coloring" (i.e. paying bills with check and pen) and wants to color with the pen too. Or how he points out to me so many fascinating things (rocks, worms, flowers, bugs) that I normally overlook during our walks. He reminds me to see the beauty in the world and the excitement all around us.

One of my favorite artists, Sara Groves, articulates so well in a song the beautiful lessons our children teach us. Her song "I Can't Wait" goes something like this

I will teach you to read and you can turn the pages
How to dress and tie your shoes
Your one plus ones, and your two times two's
And you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important things
And all that i have lost along the way
And I can't wait

As you grow, I'll show you things
How to ride your bike and kick your legs out on the swings
To fold your hands and bow your head
How to say your prayers before you go to bed
And you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important things
And all that I have lost along the way
And I can't wait

How do you sleep so peacefully?
How do you trust unflinchingly?
How do you love so faithfully?
How do you dance so joyfully?
Oh you'll teach me
Of hearts and dreams
And all the most important (essential) things
And all that i have lost along the way
And I can't
No I can't
Come teach me
Of love and dreams
And all the most essential thing
And all that I have lost along the way

This song really hits close to home right now. Jonathan's example of "dancing so joyfully" and "trusting unflinchingly" is a good reminder for me. And I need it. This week has been a particularly hard week for me for various reasons (health, finances, missing friends and family, etc). But God reminded me today that I can sleep so peacefully , trust unflinchingly, love so faithfully, dance so joyfully because I am his beloved daughter. My life, whether full of hard stuff or not, is in the hands of a living, caring, all powerful God. And while Nate and I are by no means all caring or all powerful (though all living :) ), Jonathan rests in the knowledge that he is our beloved son. Aren't kids wonderful teachers?