Scared Scribbles

“Is nothing scared?!” I thought as I opened my journal to find tons of tiny scribbles all over the pages. No matter how many times I told them to draw in their coloring books instead of my journal, I knew at some point I would find it defiled. But even the knowing did not alleviate the frustration.

The frustration had been building from the scribbles on the walls, the broken picture frame, and the ripped pages of a book gifted by a friend. The list of broken cups and ornaments grew over time. I’m not one to overly value stuff nor am I super sentimental, but there are still a few things that I feel protective of.

My journal was something that I had hoped to keep unmarred. Not because it held anything too important. But out of principle. I wanted just one item to be fully mine.

Sharing is to be expected as a mom. It’s honestly endearing at times. They want to share my food, my blanket, my time. We share snacks and cups and jokes. Sometimes willingly and sometimes with some resistance on my part (and theirs).

But the answer to my question is “yes”. My house, my life, is full of sacred. But it’s not the stuff, no matter how valuable to me they are.

The sacred are the tiny hands that draw the pictures. The same tiny hands that smear peanut butter on every surface. And that reach for hugs when they are sad. That clap when they are happy. That I hold each night to pray.

The sacred are the beings that I am entrusted with. The little beings that are fully mine, gifted from the One above. And yes, I should shepherd them to respect things that aren’t theirs.

But I also need to teach them that people are more important than things. And that God gives and takes away in His kindness. That forgiveness is given freely, and grace abounds. That mistakes will be met with kind words.

The sacred comes in walking as the Lord calls us to.

In valuing the good gifts that He has given us, our children, families, friends, and neighbors. All that are His image bearers.

My frustration is small in comparison to the immense gratitude I have for the little hands that are exploring and learning and creating in my home and in my heart.