Snapshot of Number One: Counting my way to One Thousand Gifts

In the secret, in the quiet place, in the stillness You are there.

I think of that great song by Sonic Flood that starts that way and I laugh. What is secret or quiet or still in my life these days? 

I wake early to nurse our baby boy who sleeps in a bassinet next to our bed. He doesn't go back to sleep so I abandon hopes for a morning shower or a cup of tea to myself. Then our toddler wakes up and I spend the morning making breakfast for my husband and sending him off to work, trying to convince our daughter that our infant son does not want goldfish crackers shoved into his mouth, having dance parties, picking up toys only for them to be thrown back down again, and crunching fallen goldfish comrades underfoot. 

Is there some secret place I can retreat to, even for a moment?  Some wardrobe leading to a paradise (preferably a warm paradise) if I only go far enough inside?

I slip away to the bathroom and my toddler follows even there. Not much quiet or still or secret round these parts. 

We make it through the morning and with the baby tucked against my hip I prepare lunch with one arm, manage to, still with that one arm, lift our toddler and snap her into her booster chair and I quickly start eating before the baby gets fussy and I need two hands to soothe him. I reach to give my daughter her sippy cup and stop short. 

Her hands are folded, her head is bowed and she is talking low. Praying for her meal. 

She found the quiet place. She found the secret place and even though she is too young to understand why we pray she knows we do and she stopped long enough and was quiet long enough to find a time to do it.

I blush embarrassment and thank her for reminding me. We pray together and slow down a little to enjoy each other and our lunch. And I thank God for a little girl who found  the small, wardrobe/window into His place today. 

Counting My Way to One Thousand Gifts...

1. a toddler who prays

2. a play date with a friend

3. warm chili on the stove

4. honey cornbread

5. being a mommy

6. tiny feet dancing to Jack's Big Music Show

7. read through the Bible in chronological order in a year plan

8. blogs that inspire

9. blogs that make me laugh

10. homeschooling materials