Stacy is a wife and mama who loves the Word of God and connecting with women. She and her husband, Mike, have served with Campus Crusade for Christ for the past 17 years. They have four girls, ages 8 months to 10 years. In her own words: “Most days, I try to teach them a thing or two about having a Biblical worldview, math, and language. Everyday, they teach me how to grow in grace, patience, and dependence on the Lord!” You can learn more about Stacy by visiting her at 29 Lincoln Avenue.
It has happened again. We are late. I yell up the stairs to her as if my barking will make her move faster. Waiting on her I assemble all the necessary items. She takes her place in front of me and I begin once again to pull her hair up into its required ballet form. Brushing and pulling, I work quickly. I reach over with my foot and pull the stool to myself. I step onto it so that I can rise above her to finish the job.
And I stop in the middle of the most beautiful bun I have ever made and I wonder: When did this happen? How is it that she is tall enough that I’m the one needing the step? All at once I see her in the mirror. The room seems to be spinning but I am only seeing her. She is 3, 7, and 10 all at the same time. What happens when the step is not enough for me? What happens on that day when she is more than me?
“Mom!” She calls me back to the moment and hands me a hairpin. I smooth her hair, kiss her head, and step down. I look into her face and we see nearly eye to eye. She has her daddy’s baby blues and eyelashes worthy of a mascara commercial. She is beautiful.
“Grab your bag and let’s go.” I watch her exit, half dancing, half running, and I smile.
So many minutes I have spent with her that seemed to drag on (nursing, potty training, listening, making peanut butter sandwiches). But the years have flown by faster than I could have imagined. I am well aware that my time with her is half dancing, half running away.
She will be more than me. Isn’t that the point of parenthood? I want to send her into the great big world to live bigger than I have. I know that if I am going to continue to mold her that I will myself need to be daily shaped by the Lord. I can’t pour into her what I don’t have. This drives me hard to His side.
My prayer for her is that she will listen for God’s voice every day, love Him with her whole heart, and hold fast to Him all the days of her life (Deuteronomy 30:20). He has big plans for her. I just know it. I’m honored I get to see it unfold. The view from the step stool is pretty amazing if I do say so myself.
As a mom who doesn’t need a step stool yet, I am thankful for this reminder to remember to enjoy. Take a moment to say hello to Stacy either in the comments here or at her place, 29 Lincoln Avenue. I love her blog name and header photo! Makes me want to stay a while. . .
Welcome Stacey! A beautiful post…it made me smile and tear up a little. My girl is 9 and I will need a stool soon and it makes me sad and scared and full of anticipation at the same time. You said it perfectly.
The Scooper´s last [type] ..Aargh Mateys-
“I can’t pour into her what I don’t have.”
This post is truth-soaked and entirely beautiful.
Flower Patch Farmgirl´s last [type] ..The Truth Comes Out
so true!
i love how you described your time with her as running away & dancing at the same time.
my oldest will be a senior this year ( i have four girlies too). she will be more than me. i can’t wait to see what she does out in that big world.
paige´s last [type] ..from my draft files
Stacy – loved this post. The time does slip by so quickly. Loved this part: “I know that if I am going to continue to mold her that I will myself need to be daily shaped by the Lord. I can’t pour into her what I don’t have. This drives me hard to His side.” Thanks for your words this morning!
Thank you so much Brooke for your sweet words! Parenting has a way of keeping you close to the Lord! He has so much work to do with me yet!
Blessings,
Stacey
stacey´s last [type] ..New Beginnings
stacey – a beautiful post. through and through! “i can’t pour into her what i don’t have …” words to live by! thank you for this!
tracie @ {tsj} photography´s last [type] ..intentional parenting vs reactive parenting
Beauty and truth! Thanks for the reminder to savor every minute. What a wonderful post.
Well Stacey, imagine me finding you here! Same church. Babies the same age. And I run into you in blogworld. What are the chances?
Loved this post. And she IS beautiful
Em´s last [type] ..What IS Victorias secret
Thanks Em! Isn’t it fun to bump into friends in unlikely places? And your little one – precious and small will be here quicker than you know!
See you Sunday!
Stacey
stacey´s last [type] ..New Beginnings
Oh so beautiful. I am not ready to have to get out a step stool for my oldest quite yet, but the years have flown by so fast. Thank you Emily for featuring Stacey today, she is one of my favorites!
Amy´s last [type] ..A Gentle Whisper
What a beautiful post! it is so bittersweet to see them growing.
She has grown so much physically and spiritually in the past year or more, and it is amazing to see God working in her life.
My daughter has surpassed me in height now.
Sherry´s last [type] ..Got fruit-
This post touched my heart very much,.. in some invisible ways.
thank-you for sharing here today! Have a great week! xx Jenn
Jenn´s last [type] ..The Spirit of Ascension- Slowing-Down to Make It Count- -
She will be more than me.
Your words gave me such chills. I pray my own daughter will be more than me. Do I know what I pray?
Kelly Langner Sauer´s last [type] ..into the smell of the rain
Like springtime, childhood’s season is so brief. But what a joy to watch our little flowers blossom… and to inhale the intoxicating fragrances they offer in the process. Loved this, Stacy.
Dayle´s last [type] ..A Garden Cultivates Pure Joy
It’s been said numerous times before me, but I’ll repeat it:
I love this.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday
I think, when I need a step stool, I will collapse. I have boys, and they must never grow taller than me. NEVER!
But they will. So I’ll focus on enjoying now. Beautiful, messy, now.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Notes from a Self-Lover Who has Gotten Sick of Herself
Good for you taking time to relish such sweet moments in the midst of real life!
I’ve been shedding a few tears over the boy at my house that towers over me at 6′.
Blessings!
imoomie´s last [type] ..To Infinity and Beyond…
Thanks for this reminder. I’m exhausted this morning, having gotten up 4 times last night with my 4-month-old. I need to remember to treasure the moments.
Anna´s last [type] ..You ask- I’ll answer with a link-up-
Oh Anna I am right there with you! My oldest is 10 years old, but my baby is 8 months and has not been the best sleeper! Hang in there, that crazy tired you feel will get better! It really does go by so fast….I think we are wise to be like Mary and hold these things as treasures in our hearts!
stacey´s last [type] ..New Beginnings
Oh man, yes. The looooong days and the very short years. How they creep and fly at the same time only a mother knows!
Ohmy. I have been the one on the stool with my tall ballet girl. I totally get this. Trying to hang on to the moments is like grasping a handful of sand…it runs through our fingers, but we can enjoy the way it feels when it does…
I love this!
dawn´s last [type] ..Remember me