Our six-year-old son, dressed and ready for the day, grabbed my hand with his cute little one, dragged me out of bed and rapidly pulled me downstairs.
“I have something to show you, Mama,” he said with excitement.
My barely-awake self followed along, primarily because I felt like that is what a good mom should do, and I do try to live up to some random set of imagined standards. Also, he has more upper body strength than I do.
I loved but didn’t share his enthusiasm. I could not imagine anything that would make me happier right now than a steaming shower and my usual morning routine.
The semblance of order in my morning routine helps me to feel like the events of the rest of the day can be within my control. I held tightly to my little illusion, pushing down unsettled feelings of impending chaos as we progressed toward the kitchen, where, without a word, he led me to this:
That is me in a scull! Or at least, a clay model of me in a scull. Apparently, he got up early and made a sculler out of clay and two toothpicks, especially for me. He even crafted it on newspaper rather than directly on the kitchen table. Love that boy.
This was way better than a steaming shower, or anything else I could envision for my day.
Over the past few years, I’ve done alot of praying and one of my most frequent prayers goes something like this: Dear God, Things are a mess. I give up. I’m going to let You be in control from now on. Just lead me and I will follow.
Then God generously cleans up whatever mess I was in, and I basically say, “Thanks, I’m good. I can take it from here.”
Apparently I can’t. I need reminders that it is okay to sometimes have less control. I may even need reminders that my way is not always the only way. Clearly, and thankfully, God and the amazing human beings around me can bring me to wonderful places I could never imagine on my own. Even in my very own scull.
I hope that any disruptions to your plan and any surprises end up bringing deep joy to your soul and your life.
Lots of love,
Marie
Adventures in Spiritual Living 
Looks like your son is an artist in the making! Good stuff….
George McGovern
Thanks, George!
Very few good things have ever come out of kitchens at the hands of 6 year old boys, having been there many hundred times, but this was definitely one of them.
Thanks, Jeff. Yes, that is my experience as well. Usually, it is a mess that I have to clean up. This was fabulous. 🙂
Wow! Thanks.
Sent from my iPad
Thanks.
This makes me miss having a six year-old in the house. beautiful moment. thanks for reminding us.
Nice gentle post thanks Marie…it does demonstrate, as you describe, that even if we feel we are controlling our lives the hand on the tiller is a much bigger one 🙂
What a talented little son you have and what a lovely post. I reckon that sometimes we have to stop rowing our own boat and just float for a while – to surrender control, to take a breather, to see where the river leads you. Thanks for the lovely reminder.