I sit across from her

at the coffee shop

 

and I see a woman

but also a child

 

And my heart is torn,

for I want to gather her into my arms

 

and I want her to run away

full speed into life

 

And maybe you can relate

to my ponderings…

 

full of my three loves,

my children

 

For when they become adults

we want them healthy and unattached

 

But we can’t forget…

 

painful birth

infant soft

adoption waiting

final decree

first words

wobbly walking

I love yous

living room forts

training wheels

pumpkin carving

zoo trips

TV cuddles

hand-holding

Daddy’s home glee

star gazing

chaotic road trips

sweet kisses

first haircuts

messy picnics

nighttime prayers

voices small and sweet

baking cookies

sandbox buckets

swingset giggles….

 

and they are treasures

for the heart

 

I reflect for awhile

but I do not dwell too long

 

for NOW is my place

and the relationship is precious

 

at this stage as well

 

My eyes and my heart

gaze at the beauty before me

 

in that coffee shop

 

A place in time

to treasure with my heart

 

and bring out later

as I reflect on my gifts

 

my treasures

 

– Susie Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be His own special treasure.

– Deuteronomy 7:6 (NLT)

 

I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

– Isaiah 45:3 (NIV)

 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

– Luke 2:16-19 (NIV)

 

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

– Luke 2:50-52 (NIV)

 

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

– James 1:17 (NLT)

 

Children are a gift from the Lord;
    they are a reward from Him.
Children born to a young man
    are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

– Pslam 127:3-5 (NLT)

 

Photos by Susie Stewart