Sometimes your morning doesn’t go according to plan.
So instead you gather up your blessing — the one who pads down stairs crying because she wants to cuddle.
You remember your swollen-belly prayers for a little one who loves to snuggle, and you hold her in your arms with her blankets and her giraffe pillow and her kitten puppet gathered up tight.
You stroke her soft, fine hair.
You release your plans to the day, receive the blessing that is in this moment with your girl, in the light from the stove, on the hardwood floor, while you wait for your coffee to brew.
You feel the Arms holding you as you hold her, and you say thank you.
That’s all.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
![Sometimes nothing says it quite like the way of a child. Before the rest of the house wakes, I read the account of Easter morning in the Jesus Storybook Bible: "And it seemed to [Mary Magdalene] that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy-- the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart." The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so are we. And it is new. Once again. Yes, it is always new...He is risen indeed!](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/s320x320/e35/17934124_1877271335863004_8139172358331039744_n.jpg "Sometimes nothing says it quite like the way of a child. Before the rest of the house wakes, I read the account of Easter morning in the Jesus Storybook Bible: \"And it seemed to [Mary Magdalene] that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy-- the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds...her heart.\" The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive, and so are we. And it is new. Once again. Yes, it is always new...He is risen indeed!")
Sometimes your morning doesn’t go according to plan…and sometimes what takes its place is an improvement over anything you imagined. Snuggling with a round-bellied girl and a giraffe that smells like her – case in point. ;) xoxo
This is GORGEOUS. So glad to have found you!
So sweet and so present…it’s the moments right.
Sometimes our plans just aren’t what God has planned for a given moment! You made the right choice Ashley, you’re a wonderful mother who is loved by her girls!
Moments that will come back to you when YOU are a Grammy and holding your children’s babies. Amazing how life goes on.
write a long time-consuming beautiful blog or a vastly simplified also beautiful blog that lives out the love you often write about? Well chosen Ashley
:) thank you, friend.
Your story reminded me of a quote of spree’s: “I’ve come to understand that those ‘diversions’ from my perceived agendas are where life is, waiting for me to show up, be awed, and be thankful”. Such wisdom . . .
I took a much needed nap today and my youngest kitty curled up with me after making afew laps around my head driving me nuts! when she did settle down I got to pet her and give her some love. Nothing like cuddle time :)
How sweet, Tami! I so agree!
I would give anything to be able to do this.. mine are so grown.. 18 and 20.. but we still cuddle on occasion… xo Smidge
I must always keep in mind what treasures these “interruptions” are, Smidge. Thank you for the reminder.
Ditto the thanks for the reminder. Mornings come with a bitter sweet story. I LOVE mornings but with kids, school, lunches, breakfasts, timelines, I always end up feeling defeated as a parent. I appreciate the reminder that Christ give me opportunities in the little things to show how HE is intentional with me. Ashley, your blog is such a light for my soul – THANK YOU
I love what you say about God’s reminders that he is intentional with us. What a great way to recall how often interruptions are blessings we could not orchestrate. Thank you for your comment, Tiff.
All our plans are subject to adjustment or change- we may think that we possess the blue print for our lives- however the course directions come from someone else
Amen!