When's God gonna come down here?

A few weeks ago Banks and I were in the car on the way to his very first day of preschool. I guess because I went back to work full time when he was six months old I just didn't get so weepy initially when planning on sending him to preschool. So, it was the first day and maybe I started to get a little weepy but I honestly did fine. He was just so excited and I was so excited for him that the weepies didn't surface... I'm sure it was a gift from God that this conversation started on the actual drive to school to re-direct my weepies had they been close to showing and turned my heart from a possible 'my baby's growing up' melt down to a sweet moment of God talk that made my tears sweet instead of anxious.
We're riding down the road and the clouds were big and puffy and the sky behind was clear and blue.. perfect Carolina almost fall day. And Banks said "Mommy, when is God gonna come down here?" I heard him perfectly but I wanted to hear him say it again, so I said "What Baby?" and he repeated it. I told him that God's got a lot of work to do up there in heaven and too, in the hearts of a lot of people down here before he's ready for us all to come. And he asked "Does God get tired of all the work he has to do?" and I told him that God created everything and since he made it all he knows pretty well how to take care of it all and he's ok with all his work and that Jesus helps him do some work. (didn't think I should go ahead and enter the work of the Holy Spirit just yet) I went on to tell him that even though God has a lot of work to do that he is never too busy to help whenever we call out to him or pray about something. I told Banks that God is always with us and that one day he can ask Jesus to live in his heart and be his Savior. I told him that when Jesus lives in your heart it will change the way he thinks and acts and speaks and loves and that he will want to tell everyone about his Savior.. and Banks said "Yea mommy, I think one day I'm gonna do that" And then the weepy started. Oh how this mommy prays for that day. I don't want him to just say he knows about Jesus but I want Jesus to be real to him, to both of my boys. So that on that day when God is gonna come down here, we'll all be going with Him!

His firsts equal mommy's last

My sweet Banks turned 4 yesterday. We started several months ago telling him that when kids turn four they dress themselves. Mark worked with him and showed him the tag and that the tag always goes in the back. Banks would practice off and on and sometimes in lazy moments he'd say he just couldn't do it. Yesterday I had his clothes and sat down beside him and started to put on his shorts. I realized he was supposed to dress himself and told him I'd do it this morning.. and he said "No, I can do it" and he did, but I put his shirt on. So, today I took his clothes down before he was downstairs and when he woke up I told him he could go play a bit but that his clothes were on the table by the couch and he needed to get dressed. In less than five minutes he was coming up the steps and announced "Mommy and daddy, look what I did" And there he was... all dressed! Tags in the back and clothes on straight. We doted, praised, threw out high-fives and loved on him for his great accomplishment and he smiled from ear to ear. And now, a few hours later it hit me, I don't get to do it anymore. I've always had to, but now I don't get to. He doesn't need me for this anymore.. And tomorrow it will be another thing and next month yet another. He's going to keep learning and keep growing and as much as it might hurt my heart, it's indeed what I want for him. It would be more detrimental for his development if I did everything for him and never gave him responsiblities.. but still, this mommy is weepy because I've begun the parent's list of lasts..
I thank God for my boys... for all the firsts I've shared with them and the long list of lasts that are yet to be... I pray whether first or last that all will be honoring to God and according to His plan for their lives.