Mary Pielenz Hampton (aka RefreshMom) is "midlife mom" to two boys, a train-loving 9 year old and 6 year old superhero-in-the-making. She and her husband Dean will celebrate their 17th anniversary this summer. When she's not shepherding/corralling boys, she's also a friend, writer, at-home-businesswoman, bargain hunter, teacher, lover of tea, chocolate and fancy desserts (especially if made with chocolate). Her heart is looking for God in the smallest moments of life and giving praise back to Him by "turning the daily into devotion."
My six year old was born to run. Since he was a toddler, I’ve loved to see him break into a sprint (which is nearly any time there’s a distance to cover of more than 10 feet). In his mind, he’s usually imagining himself as a train of some sort, but I see a future track star.
Olympic runner and missionary to China, Eric Liddell was also born to run. His famous statement has inspired many, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”
I think God has given each of us something special like that.
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I hate goodbyes. You’d think I’d be better at it at this point in my life–I’ve had lots of practice. It started when I was little. We moved enough that I never attended the same school for more than 2 years until I reached college.
Later, living in a college town, every 4 years or so there’d be a new batch of friends and more people to say goodbye to a few years down the road.
Then there were friends made and parted at camp, my own job changes (including moves to new cities), and now we’ve graduated to changing churches and locations for new ministry opportunities, etc.
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“Watch your fingers,” I warned my 3 year old just before I closed the back of the minivan. He pulled them away from where they were resting above the taillight.
I gave the hatch a shove and quick as a flash, he stuck his hand right back in! Of course I couldn’t catch the door before it mashed his fingers, and then I was torn between wanting to scoop him up as he screamed and needing to find the door release to free his poor squished digits.
Thankfully, he’d chosen the space on the car with the biggest clearance and a good bit of weatherstripping that cushioned the blow.
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