Missing My Boy...

Today, my heart misses my boy. He is gone on a 3-day school trip... his first {ever!} overnight trip alone away from home. I know, I know... he's already 11... but he'll always be my baby boy!

My boy's hand-print from when he was 4!

Because he can have an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts, we've always been wary of sleep-overs... that's why he's never been away from home overnight on his own... up until now, that is. We've always said to him that only when he feels like he's ready, he can tell us... then he can go on overnight trips alone.

This year, he announced that he's finally ready!
I thought, "Awesome! Because there is a school trip planned for Grade 6 students at his school."

Over the weekend, he excitedly did his laundry early... started setting aside things for the trip... dug out a small suitcase from the basement storage room. As I helped him pack... rolling his clothes neatly into tight cylinders... checking the packing list... and checking it again, I secretly wondered if he'll change his mind about this trip.

Sunday night came, the eve of the trip. We had a Super Bowl party at home, had guests over. We were busy cheering for the Giants... and before we knew it, it was 10pm. I said, "Time for bed... or you might get left behind by the bus tomorrow morning!"

Then he said, "Maybe I'll decide not to go..." his voice trailing off... "but, I think I'll be fine..." he said decidedly before he could change his mind. It was actually quite cute how he said it!

I assured him that he could decide not to go, even at the last minute... and that I would go pick him up if he decided partway through the trip that he wanted to come home! Tuesday night now... and no phone call... so I guess he's having a grand time!

But, this mama's missing a piece of her heart!

Seriously, I don't think I slept soundly last night... especially since I know that he had a teeny bit of hesitation about the trip. It is in days like these that the Joy Dare lives up to its name, a dare! These two days, I'd dared myself to not fret, to not worry, to *feel* joy, to *know* that God is always good and I am always loved.

So... today's Joy Dare is to look for 3 gifts red. What gift did God give me? Take a look at the photo above... a red hand-print of my boy from when he was 4! It is supposed to be a Christmas ornament... but it is tacked on my cork board right in front of my work desk. It was the first thing I saw as I sat down to start my workday this morning!

I turned the hand-print over and this is what I read...

Inside this heart I placed my hand
To hang upon our tree
And when I'm grown and on my own
My hand will always be

Upon your tree within my heart
At Christmas every year
So hang it now with all my love
Forever keep me near

Oh, the unspeakable joy that flowed from my heart!

Didn't I already say that God is always good and I am always loved? And why do I so frequently forget that? Are you fretting? Do you worry? How about checking out the Joy Dare and taking on the dare with me? I promise you won't regret it!

Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.

~ John Milton.

Unwrapping more of His love in this world.

Act justly.  Love mercy.  Walk humbly with God!