Multitudes on Mondays: Spying on God
I’m stirring a pot of soup on the stove with one hand and scribbling thanks with the other.
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The open page of my notebook is dotted with orange splatters and the faint scent of tomato sauce. But the blue ink bleeds over the splotches like the praise that seeps across the muddle of my days.
I am jotting simple praises when Hannah saunters into the kitchen in search of a cold drink. A black back pack is flung over her shoulder and dark-lensed sunglasses rest on her nose. A magnifying glass juts from her back pocket just in case.
Are you on a secret mission? I ask my resident spy kid.
Hannah glances over her shoulder to make sure we’re in the kitchen alone; then whispers, I’m searching for evidence…
She saunters around the counter and moves a few dirty dishes long abandoned. She fingers a plastic green cup, half filled with chocolate milk, reaches into her spy bag for an investigative tool, and then dips a Q-tip in the pale brown liquid.
She streaks the Q-tip across her palm and silently studies the smear. Her left eyebrow reaches for Heaven and she cocks her tousled- haired head in thought. Looks like Josh has been here, she concludes.
I nod in unspoken agreement and stir the soup as subtle bubbles begin to bulge and crest on the smooth orange surface. I set my pen down, reach for the bag of flour in the cupboard above my head. I leave my stove post, sprinkle a bit of the white powder into a small ziplock bag and offer it to my secret agent. In case you need to collect finger prints.
Her blue eyes alight and she grabs a pastry brush from the stove-side drawer. She’s heading for the deck door when she turns back to wave good-bye. Suddenly, she notices my open notebook, and asks, By the way, what are you doing?
I wink. I’m collecting evidence, too.
She crosses the kitchen and peeks at my page, recognizes the familiar scrawl.
She squints. Leans close. Tries to read my disheveled penmanship.
Speaks aloud as she sounds out my praises, one by one…
- Maggie pedaling her pink trike for the first time, sheer joy lighting up her face.
- Wisps of cottonwood waltzing above the backyard canvas of green
- Soup simmering on the stove, more than enough for my hungry clan.
- Praise music reminding me of Him, wooing my heart toward His.
- Dishes gooey with melted ice cream scattered across the counter- the joy of sharing an afternoon snack while the girls tell tales from their school day.
- A hummingbird flitting around the flowering bush.
- Dirty track uniform hanging on the bar stool- reminder of a son with legs healthy and strong.
My daughter lowers her voice and whispers, one spy to another, You’ve got great proof, Mom.
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We smile, giddy, adventurers together in this conspiracy of grace.
I record another piece of evidence…
- A daughter who shares my passion for praise
Hannah hugs my middle and hurries out the door. I turn down the heat to tame the unruly soup bubbles and glance at my growing list.
I don’t need a bag of flour to reveal His fingerprints.
These gifts are proof of His presence.
You can’t spot a gift without thinking of the Giver. My wedding ring makes me think of my husband. The finger-painted masterpiece displayed on the refrigerator makes me think of my three-year-old. The cozy slippers on my feet remind me of my mom, always looking to add comfort to my crazy life.
I close my notebook with a chuckle and watch out the window as my eight-year-old secret agent streaks across the yard, her magnifying glass bouncing up and down in her back pocket.
I don’t need a back pocket for mine. Just a kitchen counter to hold these pages of praise, magnifying Majesty.
This habit of thanks has become my spy glass. Gratitude amplifies Christ’s presence, bears evidence of Immanuel.
God whispers His secrets to those who love Him. Shouts grace through His gifts and begs us to draw near and notice.
If only we have eyes to see.
Counting gifts today with Ann...
1033. A cobblestone street lined with 100s of school kids in Dutch costumes- heritage of faith.
1034. Luke’s face set like flint, sweaty and red as he strides across the finish line first
1035. The clank of wooden shoes on the sidewalk.
1036. A hug from an old friend- grateful he spied me through the crowds
1037. The privilege of speaking hope over a sister in Christ
1038. Folding laundry while talking nonstop with a friend, sharing 1000 words as we crease clean underwear and diminish the pile of t-shirts on my living room floor. A friend who willingly enters my mess! Sheer gift
1039. Worshipping next to the sweet children of my third-grade best friend… awed by the chain of faith!
1040. 4 out of our 5 kids tangled happily in the love sac, watching a movie together. Mags on my lap, snuggling soft.
1041. Jersey Freeze ice cream to celebrate Lizzy’s first soccer goal of the spring season!1042. Maggie’s learning to pedal that pink trike, proud to be a big girl!
And linking with these beautiful grace seekers, too…,
l.l. for on, in, and around mondays, laura for playdates with god and jen for soli deo gloria
This has me smiling from ear to ear. Just plain fun. What a wonderful mamma you are.
I could picture the entire thing! You are the best writer ever!!!!! I love this post!
Oh your daughter sounds wonderful and fun. I love how you take your present happenings and see God in them. Ultimate example of doing everything to the glory of God. Ultimate Eucharisteo. I saw a Hummingbird yesterday…birds are a passion of mine and God knows it…he always sends some my way. How lucky to serve a God like that!!
What a wonderfully written post. I love the line “conspiracy of grace”.
What a super fun and creative post! I too am working on my 1000 gift list… and I love the reminder of it being “evidence” of God’s hand and goodness. Thanks for blessing me today 🙂
Beautiful post! Your spy kid is adorable and so full of imagination! Everyone watching a movie together… that’s fantastic! 🙂
Collecting evidence, I love it! God is so good, so many blessings! Enjoyed visiting here today, warmed my heart:) Blessings!
oh you did such a lovely job with weaving the two quests together…and yes…counting does give us all the evidence we need…His fingerprints are everywhere…we just have to have a different lens to see them…blessings to you~
This is so well-written and heart-warming! His fingerprints are indeed everywhere. And I love that verse from Jeremiah!
I love this clever post! And I’m always blessed by your stories with you and your children. You paint such a vivid picture, I feel like I am right there!
I LOVE the creativity you wove into this post, Alicia! Great writing, great insights and great God! What could be a better combination? 🙂