Laundry and Little Girl Dreams

These days, laundry is my nemesis, and I dread doing dishes. And oh, how I long for Mary Poppins’ magical clean-up powers.

But sometimes, as I hang a little shirt up to dry, or fold a pair of tiny socks, I remember how I used to think as a little girl. Even though I rarely did laundry, there were times when I was folding it or putting it away, and I would imagine myself doing the same thing for my future husband one day.

And once in awhile when I was babysitting in a quiet house with napping children, I would tidy things up, and daydream about someday having a baby and a home of my own.

I mothered my dolls devotedly. My sisters and I dressed them carefully, fixed their hair, fed them, homeschooled them, and settled their frequent arguments. I could only imagine how fun it would be to have real babies one day.

I remember those daydreams in sweet moments, like when Christian is snuggled up against me before bed and I’m singing him a lullaby.

Though I often forget, I’m such a blessed woman. I can’t believe those little girl dreams came true. They are gifts meant to be cherished, gifts I did nothing to deserve, and they won’t last forever.

I’m thankful for days so sweet they feel tenuous, reminding me to trust in our Father, where we dwell secure. In the words of Christian’s lullaby:

Children of the heavenly Father, safely in His bosom gather
Nestling bird nor star in heaven such a refuge e’er was given

God His own doth tend and nourish; in His holy courts they flourish
From all evil things He spares them; in His mighty arms He bears them

Neither life nor death shall ever from the Lord His children sever
Unto them His grace He showeth, and their sorrows all He knoweth

Though He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne’er forsaketh
His the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy

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