• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

April 15, 2012

Don’t Let Me Blow Away Mommy

*A Simply Sunday post from the past*

The wind was whipping around us as we were spinning and twirling through the yard.

Arms spread out, we laughed as dizziness set in before we tumbled into the lawn chair together.
She wrapped her little arms around my neck, snuggled in tight and said,
“Don’t let me blow away mommy!”
It was one of those moments in life where you wish you could stop time.
You long for a way to bottle it up so you won’t ever forget how soft her skin feels against yours.
How her little fingers played with your hair as we sat quietly together.
And my heart began to ache.
Ached because I knew that this moment would be over all too quickly.
Ached because I knew that soon she would not fit so perfectly in my lap.
Ached because I knew that the winds of life would toss and turn her and that I wouldn’t always be there to block their force as they tried to “blow her away”.

But, there are no magic bottles for collecting moments.
No spells to be conjured up in an attempt to stop time.

Just as a strong wind pulls and tugs at a boat tied to the dock, this world will try to pull her away from the security of being tied to our “dock”.

And even the strongest of docks have been known to be pulverized by gale force winds and boats tossed and turned like plastic toys in a bathtub.


Source

So I pray for wisdom, protection, guidance.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6

What if instead of being tied to the dock, her boat was tied to a rock.

THE rock.
The only One that can withstand those hurricanes of life.

Immovable.
Unshakeable.


Source

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:2-3

Because, no matter how much I want to believe that she will find enough security tied to the dock that is our family, I know that there are some things from which I cannot protect her.

Things that we can’t predict and are beyond our control.

So, we too tie our rope to the Rock, trusting that He will take care of her.

Protect her.
Strengthen her.
Guide her.

And as we sit in that chair together on that warm summer day, she has no idea of the thoughts running through my head.
She just innocently waits for my reply.

So, I tell her the only thing she needs to hear at the tender age of 4.

“I won’t let you blow away sweetie!”

Thanks for joining me for this Simply Sunday at the Fence,



Email Updates
Facebook Page
Pinterest

Sharing this here:
Imparting Grace: Grace at Home Party

17 Comments Filed Under: Simply Sundays

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 60!
Next Post: Giveaway and Guest Posting! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dianne says

    April 15, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    wow….this post really touched my heart…the storms of life have come to my family…at times I wondered if if I would ever see my child again…how far would she drift before she would look back? …but as the storm has died down I can now see that the line is stronger than I once thought…so slowly she is drifting back to us. God is good…thank you for posting this today…I really needed to be reminded of God’s faithfulness

    Reply
  2. Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest says

    April 15, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    Very well done.

    Tears.

    You have a way with words – a true gift.

    Reply
  3. Jo's Corner says

    April 15, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    Such strong words. Words that take me back in time, to that place when I was that small daughter. Oh, I Loved my Mama! No, at that age, I was in love with my Mama! And, I know she shared the same thoughts and emotions about me, that you have for your sweet Girl.

    Time has flown by and now it is Me, who has that love and desire to protect Her. Yes, the tables have turned! I just did a post about that deep love, last night. My precious Mama was seriously injured in a fall. TEN broken bones throughout her body. She is so, so fragile, right now.

    I am trying to find a way to go be with her. To love and comfort and help her in her healing. She has a long road ahead. With two broken shoulders, a broken upper arm and broken pelvis, many months of physical therapy and surgery lie ahead.

    You can read my post here: https://jomoseleysblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/lets-try-this-again.html
    I want to share my Giveaway with your readers, if thats okay. I haven’t had much response and my blog is not well known. I want to get to her soon. Much love to You and your Sweet Daughter! ~ Jo

    https://jomoseleysblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/ipad-2-giveawayfundraiser-for-my-mama.html

    Reply
  4. Sandie Luck says

    April 15, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    OH, Vanessa, how very deeply your words touched the depths of my soul!! THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts here! God’s faithfulness is such a gift! With it we can touch our children’s lives and make a difference that teaches them to trust in our Lord no matter what.
    Now that I am a first-time grandmother and thinking of my role in the life of this wee little boy I am reminded that I just need to be there for him, setting an example of love and care, while he is young. It’s a joy to give him another person in his life that knows for sure that there IS an anchor in the time of storm!
    How blessed your little girl is to have a mama like you and to know that you won’t let her get blown away!! SO SWEET!! Keep on treasuring those precious moments! What richness they add to life!
    May God’s richest blessings be yours this day!
    Joyfully……~Sandie

    Reply
  5. Linda Young says

    April 15, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    How sweet, these tender moments with your darling little daughter! They grow up way too fast! It’s wonderful that you are such a strong example to her and you are teaching her to trust in the Lord! She’s a lucky little girl. May God guide you each day as you parent your children and protect and bless your little family!
    Linda

    Reply
  6. Barbara says

    April 15, 2012 at 11:38 PM

    Just beautiful and so true! Yes they do grow up fast and we will not always be there to protect them from some of the harshness in the world. But hopefully with god’s help we are able give them a firm foundation to stand on and wings to fly with…thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Angela says

    April 16, 2012 at 12:18 AM

    Wow, what a tear jerker! My husband just turned to me and asked, “are you crying?” They grow so fast and I get so sad when I think about how innocent they are, but know that it won’t last forever. My prayer is that I will do the best job possible and then be able to trust that HE will take care of the rest.
    Thank you so much for sharing from your heart; it touched mine!
    Hugs,
    Angela

    Reply
  8. Doreen - Hymns and Verses says

    April 16, 2012 at 2:49 AM

    So beautiful! What a treasure this blog post will be for many years to come – for you, your daughter, and all who read it!

    Doreen

    Reply
  9. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    April 16, 2012 at 3:23 AM

    Vanessa, I’m glad I saw this post this time. What a wonderful Mommy you are! I pray life is treating you kindly these days.

    Reply
  10. Mdegraeve says

    April 16, 2012 at 3:56 AM

    Lovely….

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    April 16, 2012 at 2:10 PM

    Thank you, Vanessa. This takes me back to the darling little girl you were – twirling and dancing and playing for endless hours.

    Thank you for sharing your heart!

    Love you, Mom

    Reply
  12. truusje@gmail.com says

    April 17, 2012 at 12:20 AM

    Visited your post on Glynnis Whitwer Spring Cleaning Series. Looking forward to visiting your site again when I have more time. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  13. Jocelyn says

    April 18, 2012 at 3:07 AM

    Love this Vanessa. Beautiful! And you totally made me cry – maybe because I have a four year old girl too 🙂 Thank you for this!

    Reply
  14. Donna says

    April 19, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    Absolutely beautiful post. It was touching and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  15. Richella says

    April 19, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    Beautiful, beautiful post, Vanessa. And you’re so absolutely right. Gale-force winds will indeed come. No shelter is sufficient except the palm of His hand.

    Reply
  16. Erica {let why lead} says

    April 20, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    I LOVE this post. I actually just had one of those moments last night with my son. He was tucked into bed and said, “Will you let me grow up, Mommy?” I could barely talk through the tightening of my chest, and like you, I wished I could memorize his face and the feel of him at age 3 1/2. Letting him grow and experience the buffeting of the world is a frightening thought. Hopefully the faith we instill in our children as mothers will help them be strong. Thank you for a touching post!

    Reply
  17. The mum of all trades says

    April 20, 2012 at 11:46 PM

    What a beautiful post. This moved me to tears, I can really identify with every word of this. I am always saying to my husband, I just want to freeze our life.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

Grandma’s Banana Bread

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022
  • Vintage Inspired Hot Cocoa Bar November 21, 2022
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour October 7, 2022
  • Built In Shelving Makeover in Family Room August 31, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake a I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake and grabbed a banana out of the freezer and was about to put it into my shake before I realized it was a frozen egg roll. Sooooo that's how my day is going so far! 🤪How about you?

It's honestly fairly representative of my state of mind these days as I can't seem to make the date on the calendar match the date in my spirit because it feels like it should be January 45th. Every year this month drags on and every year it seems to surprise me for some reason. In addition, my heart just feels heavy as I witness a lot of darkness and sadness around me. So, I'm choosing to control what I can control by making my house feel as cozy as possible, relishing the sunshine whenever it dares to peek through the clouds, gathering inspiration for warmer weather projects and, most importantly, resting in the comfort of the sovereignty of my Father.

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work..." Job 37:5-7
What if you could do something at the beginning of What if you could do something at the beginning of your day that would be a gift to yourself later on? That’s what we’re talking about on this week’s Tip Tuesday! #tiptuesday
The sun decided to make another appearance today! The sun decided to make another appearance today! It’s been such a lovely Sunday. Chocolate croissants for breakfast followed by church then naps/football/reading/etc and soon we’ll be heading out to dinner with friends. These are my favorite kind of weekends. Hope yours has been lovely too! 🌿
Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshi Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshine is breaking through the fog and my house just seems happier. We definitely needed to see that light streaming in through the windows and it’s a gift I don’t take for granted.

And yes, there are still twinkle lights on my mantle because those help when the sunshine goes away again. ✨
Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here i Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here in the Willamette Valley has me feeling less frustrated about my migraine forcing me to just snuggle up indoors and these flowers in my kitchen are lifting my spirits. What are you up to on this holiday weekend?
It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offe It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offering a gentle reminder from my own parenting experience after feeling my heart pricked with conviction about what was waiting for my daughter every day after school. I hope it will encourage you! 🌿#tiptuesday
The day after Christmas I found myself laundering The day after Christmas I found myself laundering and folding all of the linens we used the previous night as we hosted my husband's side of the family for dinner and other festivities. As I laid out each cloth napkin and folded them one by one, I couldn't help but be struck by what a simple, yet meaningful, task it was. It's such an honor and privilege to be the hostess and, at this stage of my life, I realize that this has almost one hundred percent become my role now. Our parents are in their 70's and have either downsized significantly or simply don't have the energy to take on hosting duties for a large group. I could resent this. I could feel overwhelmed by it. But, instead, I'm choosing to embrace it knowing that, someday, I too will pass the hosting torch and I hope that I will be welcomed with love and attentiveness. So, I fold the linen napkins, taking pleasure in the way all of the creases line up and how neat and tidy they look in the drawer of my dining room buffet. These seemingly simple chores are part of the lifeblood of homemaking and my attitude towards them can either be one of gratefulness or grumbly-ness (yes, I'm making up words now). 

And I’m choosing gratefulness. 

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.” (Elisabeth Elliot⁣)
Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kic Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kicking off the year with a brand new series! Each weekly installment will feature a tip for everything from your home to faith to parenting to family life and so much more. My goal for 2023 is to have far more personal interaction with this community while continuing on with the mission of weaving together all things heart and home. I hope you enjoy this first tip and I’d love to hear from you about whether or not you decorate for winter! 
#tiptuesday #organizing #winterdecorating
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. H “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

Here’s to beginnings. Happy new year friends! May you experience the majesty and sovereignty of the Lord in 2023 like never before! ✨
Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favor Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favorite for sure. Everything is still festive and decorated but there’s none of the stress of the cooking and wrapping and making preparations. It’s the week where we get to take everything slowly and simply enjoy being together while the house still has twinkling lights and we can just be cozy.

What about you? How will you be spending this week? ✨
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence