The Mom Shift

I put on my mom hat Wednesday night. My poor little sister has been sick since last Friday, and my mom has faithfully stayed by her side, but Wednesday night, I stayed home with Julia so mom could get out of the house and go to church.

I made Julia pancakes for supper, like any good mother would do lol; after all, that’s what she wanted to eat, and it’s sort of an unspoken rule in our house that we will make whatever the invalid is craving (especially if the invalid is the youngest child lol). Then after I cleaned mom’s kitchen, we went down to my apartment and sat on my couch and watched movies.

I loved staying home with my little sis and taking care of her. It’s been so long since I’ve done that. Now that I work all the time, I don’t have time to do things at home like I used to. It’s rather sad, but makes me enjoy nights like these. I think one of the most special relationships in the world is being able to help raise younger siblings. I’ve been like a second mom to them, so we share a special bond.

After our movies, I decided to read Bible stories to "Queenie Pooh", just like I used to. I read a few, and also read the book “Just in Case You Ever Wonder” by Max Lucado.

I cried.

It’s been a while since I’ve read that book, and I was suddenly reading it from several different perspectives. I was reminded how much God loves me, how much my parents love me, and how much I love Julia.

I just had to post the story on here. This will be a long post, but take time to read it. And never forget how very special you are…

Just in Case You Ever Wonder
by Max Lucado

Long, long ago God made a decision-
a very important decision…
one that I’m really glad He made.
He made the decision to make you.

The same hands that made the stars made you.
The same hands that made the canyons made you.
The same hands that made the trees and the moon and the sun made you.
That’s why you are so special. God made you.

He made you in a very special way.
He made your eyes so they would twinkle.
He made your mouth so you could smile.
He made your laugh so you could giggle.
God made you like no one else.

If you looked all over the world- in every city in every house-
there would be no one else like you…
no one with your eyes,
no one with your mouth,
no one with your laugh.
You are very, very special.

And since you are so special, God wanted to put you in just the right home…
where you would be warm when it’s cold, where you’d be safe when you’re afraid,
where you’d have fun and learn about heaven.
So, after lots of looking for just the right family,
God sent you to me.
And I’m so glad He did.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw you…
your eyes were closed, your fingers were curled in two little fists,
your cheeks were puffy and round.
I knew in my heart God had sent someone very wonderful for me to take care of.

Your first night with me I heard every sound you made:
I heard you gurgle, I heard you sniff, I heard your little lips smack.
I heard you cry when you wanted to eat, and I fed you.

You’re bigger now and do more things.
You can walk and run. You can play and talk.
You can eat and sing and look at books.
You’re not a little baby anymore.

But as you grow and change, some things will stay the same.
I’ll always love you. I’ll always hug you.
I’ll always be on your side.
And I want you to know that…just in case you ever wonder.

Remember I’m here for you.
On dark nights when you hear noises in your closet, call me.
When you see monsters in the shadows, call me.

On hard days when kids are mean and don’t treat you like they should, come to me.
If your grades are bad and your teacher is mad, come to me…’cause I love you.
And I always will, just in case you ever wonder.

Most of all, I’ll be here to teach you about God.
He loves you. He protects you.
He and His angels are always watching over you.

And God wants me to make sure you know about heaven.
It’s a wonderful place.
There are no tears there.
No monsters.
No mean people.

You never have to say “good-bye,”
or “good night,”
or “I’m hungry.”
You never get cold or sick or afraid.

In heaven you are so close to God that He will hug you, just like I hug you.
It’s going to be wonderful.
I will be there, too. I promise.
We will be there together, forever.
Remember that…
Just in case you ever wonder.