Above the Noise
The evening hour had finally arrived. Chuck and Eva were quietly resting on the couch watching a show before bedtime. I tip-toed away to get ready for bed. I secretly locked the door to ensure quiet if only for few minutes. It wasn’t long before I heard pounding on our bedroom door. Eva had tucked her head into the corner crack of the door saying, “Mommy! It is me! Eva Jewel! I can’t get in!” I couldn’t help but snicker. I opened the door. She had her lip tucked out like only a kid can do (or so we hope) and she said, “Mommy, I know it was an accident that you locked the door. It’s ok. I’m in now.” I had that “raised eyebrow” look as a quick recap over the past twelve hours flooded my mind.
It had been quite a day. Little questions, wants and whines had trailed me faster than I could keep up. “Mommy” had been called no less than a million times since my feet hit the floor that morning. I sat down in my closet to ready myself for the day when I noticed all was quiet. I took those sacred seconds to pray and ask the Lord to help me when life got loud. Boisterous seemed to be common place these days. Putting my shoes on sideways, only solidified the fact that baby Charlotte would be here soon. I was about to have two little ones and it felt like I was losing ground and time. How was I going to juggle two little ones with all the guidance and attention they would both need? I let my thoughts get the better of me and tears ran down my face, which seems to be a normal occurrence as of late (even tuna has unexpected weeping effects). All of the sudden, I heard the Lord’s sweet voice climb above the confusion and quietly whisper to my heart saying, “Let your children chase you. I can rise above the noise.”
At the Lord’s calming assurance that I can accomplish the tasks set before me, peace overcame my once blurred vision.
A couple of years back, I saw a new mother crying outside of the church nursery room where her child was being cared for. She wanted to walk into the room and scoop up her baby to calm him down from crying, but she had been asked to give the lady workers just a minute to see if they could pacify him. Nothing breaks your heart more than to hear your child crying, even when you know they are perfectly fine, and somehow above all other noises, you can hear your own. I recognized the demeanor she wore along with the glued-to-the-wall statue she presented. I almost walked past her as I headed towards the sanctuary, but then I stopped and before I gave it another thought I spoke to her saying, “No one knows a child better than his mother. If you want your baby, go get your baby.” My words gave her relief in a noisy situation. She gave me a big hug, wiped her eyes, and marched in for her child.
As a mother, it seems we question our every response to all situations. We try to please the masses while somehow satisfying our family. It is hard to do both. Our highest calling is to our families first. Decisions will not always be popular, even perhaps misunderstood. But what is ours to care for will be ours to answer for.
That particular Sunday morning, a new mother took her baby into church with her while she held him close in her loving arms. She probably didn’t hear much of the sermon, but her little bundle was cared for, nurtured, and calmed. It wasn’t long before mother and baby found comfort in going to nursery, but until that time came, she found freedom through the clamor.
Some seasons are going to be noisy, but I have found it is only when all is quiet and Eva is tucked in at bedtime can I hear her say “Lamby Prayers.” My heart immediately rises above the noise as we say together…
“Now I lay me (Lamby) down to sleep
I pray the Lord, my soul, to keep
Guard this house in which I rest
And keep all who sleep here richly blessed.”
Amen
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“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” Proverbs 8:17
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