His Hand

A little nostalgia with a lot of heart

Photo by Nesnin Shamsheer on Unsplash

Ever read something that tugs at your heartstrings and puts life into perspective real quick?

What I am sharing with you today does just that.

I had this poem framed along with my boys handprints years ago and it was a great reminder and still is now with my grandchildren. I hope you enjoy!

Hi I’m Brooke Z. from The Pondering Scottie! I enjoy writing posts that encourage and inspire, the ones that touch your heart, make you think, make you laugh or give you a great idea! If you’re into Jesus, family, books, homeschooling, nature, travel and some surprises thrown in along the way, then join me here!

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I Took His Hand and Followed

My dishes went unwashed today, I didn’t make the bed.

I took his hand and followed where eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring, my little son and I,

Exploring all the great outdoors beneath the summer sky.

We waded in the crystal stream, we wandered through the wood,

My kitchen wasn’t swept today, but life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade, and now my small son knows,

Why mother bunny hides her nest, where Jack-in-the-Pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young, we climbed a sunlit hill,

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky, we plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected, that I didn’t brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth will know, or even care.

But that I’ve helped my little boy, to noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world may look and see and know.

~Author Unknown

Whew! This poem still rings loud and true. Maybe even more so as my sons are grown!

My little boys were almost 3 and 7 months when I outlined their tiny hands to frame and display this little poem in our home. Now, they are 30 and twenty-eight years old, brothers who have attended college, married, took careers and have children of their own. Time goes so fast, sweet friends, so fast I can’t even describe!

Try to always follow where your children lead to explore, get down on their level, look in their eyes and through their eyes at the WONDER of this world God made.

Teach them the names of birds, flowers, stars and clouds. Show them where bugs live and peek under rocks and traverse through the woods. Answer their questions and share your life with them. Read stories from the Bible and show them how to pray.

Catch flickering lightening bugs, get sticky with the s’mores,

Tickle little piggy toes and laugh when Grandpa snores.

Climb tall trees and skip gray rocks and blaze a dusty trail,

Soak up every moment, this way you’ll never fail.

This I know to be the truth, that children grow up fast,

So take your time and count the blessings, for memories sure to last.

Rock those babies, play the game, say “yes” a little more,

For time is fleeting, they soon grow up, and walk right out the door.

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Welp, now I’m a teary-eyed mess but that last bit just poured out of my heart writing to you today. Savor the minutes, savor the moments.

And know that this is also true:

Don’t grieve your children growing older. For they grow up and bring you new, little people in various adoring sizes and shapes and enrich your life like never before! What precious gifts from God! Take it from this Mimi!

Until next time sweet friends,

Brooke

Be on the lookout for these upcoming posts:

-The Blessings of Being Known

-Gate B6

And “in the works” a fresh collaboration on homeschooling that you won’t want to miss! Subscribe now!