An hour ago, I returned home from a women’s fellowship. Before I reached the back door, Heather ran out to greet me with a hug, a kiss, and, “Mom, you stayed a lot longer than we expected.” (I was gone four hours.) “I’m so glad you’re home!” Sonia and Jedidiah grabbed me at the door, showered me with hugs and kisses, all while continuously repeating loving adorations—“Mama, Mama, Mama!” There couldn’t possibly be a dearer greeting. Jon, in the meantime, waded through the pool of rejoicing and managed a warm embrace and kiss, further affirming a welcomed return. Wow, it was great to be back home!
Shortly after this joyous homecoming, while putting Sonia and Jedidiah down for a nap, Sonia said, “Mama, we sure missed you!” Jedidiah stopped nursing long enough to agree with his adorable, “Me, me!”
Mama: I missed you all a lot, too.
Sonia: Did you cry for us?
Mama: My heart ached to be home with you.
Sonia: Mama, I cry when you’re gone.
Jedidiah: Me, me.
Sonia: I really miss you when you’re gone.
Jedidiah: Me, me.
Sonia: Mama, I really love you.
Jedidiah: Me, me.
Mama: And I really love the both of you.
My absences from my family are as frequent as Halley’s comet. On these few occasions, I have tried to enjoy the break away. Unfortunately, no matter how great the fellowship, I feel as if my heart shall break, and the family ties that bind us together immediately start tugging for me to return. Our world labels this neurotic, unhealthy affection, but I believe it perfectly natural.
Haven’t you heard moms say that they send their kids to preschool because the family appreciated each other more? What a ridiculous and sad excuse. Homeschoolers are living testimonies that the families that stay together appreciate each other all the more. The most delightful part of each day is the time I spend playing with Sonia and Jedidiah. No matter what I suggest or have planned, their bodies wiggle with excitement from head to toe. Today I had planned a scavenger hunt, relay races, fingerplays, singing, dancing, and reading. It was during the scavenger hunt that my soaring spirit was temporarily tormented by a dreadful memory of yesteryear.
I was sitting in the center of our living room watching Sonia and Jedidiah bubbling over with excitement as they searched for hidden treasures. Nothing is more enjoyable for me than listening to my babies’ delightful giggles and seeing their sweet little faces twinkling with excitement! I too wiggled and giggled as I basked in that glorious blessing. Suddenly though, the warmth turned to a chill as I remembered sitting in the middle of children at a day care center.
As part of my training, I was required to spend a semester in the university’s day care facility. Day after day, I watched screaming, clinging children pried from their mothers. Neglected babies cried themselves to sleep. Dry cereal dumped on the table was considered breakfast. Naps were taken on cots lined up against the wall like bunks in a dormitory. It was ghastly! Oh, I had fine scavenger hunts, relay races, fingerplays, dancing, singing, and reading activities planned throughout my stay, but their eyes were rather dull compared to my children’s twinkling stars, and their laughter never sounded as happy as my children’s giggles. Every wretched day, my heart ached for these little children. It seemed so absurd leaving one’s baby with strangers. What was wrong with all these mothers? How could they be so heartless and cold-blooded? And Lord, what would these children be like when they grew up?
Fourteen years later, I still hate day care centers and preschools. Next to abortion, I believe they are Satan’s most ghastly evil. I never pass one that my heart doesn’t break all over again.
Giggles and hugs brought me back to the center of my living room once again to the reality of God’s greatest gift to mothers. How thankful I felt that I was right there with my very own children. Truly, there’s no place like home!
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