Listening

a poem for Advent

As I set up our Christmas decor
and hang ornaments on the tree,
I see a life lived throughout the years. 
Pictures of our children and families,
trinkets collected from various places 
and given as gifts.
You have so much to be grateful for
flits across the pages of my heart.

While running errands
an opportunity comes to stop and play. 
Instead of rushing to complete my to-do list,
(which I do find very satisfying), 
I pause. 
We don’t have to be anywhere, I think.
And then I hear it again.
You can just be present here, right now. 
Enjoy him.
The 3 year-old and I jump at the trampoline park,
play hide ‘n seek in the mirrored section of the playground,
and giggle as we descend the twirly slide together.

I steal a glance at my husband
across the room at a party.
We smile at each other, sipping our cocktails,
our eyes meeting with deep knowing, and love.
Our marriage is a precious gift 
and one we continue to put effort toward,
each and every day. 
Choose this man over and over, I hear.
I will, I say back.

I see frustration in the furrowed brow and scowl
of my older son as I tell him no, 
we had to change plans yet again due to sickness.
I want to spout some words of wisdom about
obedience and attitude,
but instead,
I hear a small voice inside me.
He’s only 7 years old, 
and he’s still learning.
Just like you.
Instead of correcting
I pull him close to me
and hold him in a hug.
We both soften.

Gazing at the gorgeously decorated home
I walk into,
I’m tempted to want more, and pick out
what in my own home 
needs updating and redoing.
What they have can be beautiful, 
and yours is beautiful too. 
I take a breath and realize 
I can simply be thankful,
and fight the ugly voice of envy.

I think of the whispers Mary heard
as her belly grew, and the rumors with it.
She may have heard words spoken behind her back,
or seen disapproval in the faces of her neighbors.
But she chose to listen to the truest voice,
the One who said,
Don’t be afraid, Mary! 

I pray my children hear and remember
the truths whispered to them by their Daddy and I
all throughout their lives.
I love you
I believe in you
You are precious and delightful
Jesus loves you. 
I hope the constant whispering of what is real
is what their hearts cling to,
not the louder voices all around them
telling them what is cool and trendy.

Especially during Christmas,
I’m reminded to listen, 
to the whispers I’ve heard all my life,
spoken by The One who was 
whispered to by His own mother.
As she calmed and comforted him with 
I love you, my boy
and
I’ve got you, Mama is right here.
I ponder how His heart beat
with the same words,
whispered over and over to all of humanity.
I love you
I’ve got you.
I’m coming to save you.

Photo by Mourad Saadi on Unsplash

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This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Whisper."