some moments need hot chocolate

The boys like hot chocolate in the morning. It helps them wake, maybe even helps them feel hugged in a warm, hot-chocolate-going-down-kind-of-way. I notice it’s the little things that help get through small things like school-morning wake-ups and big things like too many tests and projects due all on the same day.

I notice when each boy tries and when their trying works – and doesn’t work.

I notice tired eyes just as readily as a smile emerging to spread across a face – serenity in rest and excitement brimming and spilling debate when a boy learning logic outsmarts his common sense.

I notice love near bursting in my heart for each boy – just as I notice the ticket-tape running across the bottom of the news channel – a boy bringing a gun to school here, laws being changed there – some battles being fought, some being walked away from – and I notice the potential impact on their future, think about how God’s not surprised, how they were designed and equipped for today and tomorrow.

I notice the steadying  hope

STOP

and trust in a God who holds the plans, who loves these boys more than I can begin to – and who knew they would like hot chocolate in the morning, who knew they would face unsettled times.

In logic class, my 8th grader wanted to chose as a debate topic whether WWII brought American out of the Depression. At home, my 10th grader is asking God to guide him, maybe putting aside soccer cleat dreams for Navy Seal challenges, another son discusses rent, minimum wage culminating in socialism verses capitalism – and another son, learning how to organize college classes, job hours, possibly moving out and turning over mission-field ideas – I notice the need to be more hands-off and faith-and-hope on in this motherhood gig – and, sometimes, that’s the hardest part of all.

I’m so glad my God notices every little and big thing, notices so much that when it’s a heart moment – He cares so deeply, He collects every tear – it’s story, how it came about, the heart-cry within – whether it’s out of saddness, joy or that awkward combination of both.

Some moments need hot chocolate, just to let me feel at home in a world changing.

Some moments need hot chocolate, like a banner waving high, announcing on the battlefield, giving notice to the enemy that God’s goodness will prevail.

I also noticed that I went longer than 5 minutes – and I noticed that this post is filled with much ramble – but thank you friends – for letting me ramble down rabbit hole thinkings – because I needed to go there.

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8)

It’s hot chocolate kind of week – grab a cup, settle in a chair and join at Heading Home with Kate. Take five minutes and write on . . . Notice

Most days, we just drink instant hot chocolate – but on those rare occasions like the first snow, or Christmas Eve – or just when a moment needs something extra special – I make my Mama’s Hot Chocolate.