Fishies and Encouragement

Posted by Christine | 0 comments

I had survived the event and made it to the fish tanks.

Four children. Long school day behind us. Minutes swiftly approaching dinner time. Marathon grocery store trip. You know the drill. And the fish tanks were there, situated just beyond the last aisle, shining like a beacon and waiting to welcome children who had behaved through the ordeal. (And yes, there have been times when I’ve blown past those fish tanks, a scowl on my face, mortified by the behavior of someone-or-other, and determined to not even allow them a glance…)

Most days though, I love those little fishies.

“Can we stop to see the fish??” they asked, the younger ones beginning to bounce up and down. I nodded my yes and they hurried over to ooh and ah over the brightly colored tanks, choosing their favorites as they do each time. I breathed out a whoosh of relief, thankful that we had made it with no tantrums, no sibling scuffles and no back talk. Now there was just the checkout line, with all those magazines to turn cover-side-in, and candy temptations to fight.

A woman approached me. She smiled. “Are they all yours?” Even with only four, I get that question quite often.

“You are the luckiest woman in the world. Do you know that?”

My eyes misted over and I looked at my children again. I nodded. How did she know I needed the reminder?

Again she said, looking gently at me, just in case I really needed to hear it.

“You are so lucky.”

I said thank you, that I knew, that they were such blessings. And she walked away, still smiling.

It had been a long day. I knew I had so much to be thankful for, and yet I was so weary from the daily tasks that never end. That unknown woman spoke words to refresh my spirit and uplift my heart.

Wherever we are in our mothering journey, we can speak life to a weary soul.

Maybe that encouraging voice can be yours. To whom can you speak words of life today? A friend? A neighbor? A stranger in the grocery store? Yours might be the only affirming words she hears, and maybe just when she needs it most.

We all need it sometimes, and we all can give it as well.

“Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Christine Hiester is a Christian, homeschooling mom to three boys and a girl, ranging in age from 10 to 3 years old. She is a musician by trade, eclectic in homeschool style, and continues to grow and learn along with her children in this journey of life and discipleship at home. Visit her blog at Fruit in Season.