In the Returning

I've been strong for seven days.

Seven long days filled with work, school, schedules, planning meals, washing dishes, cleaning up, and the spring play.

And when I worked with her on Monday, we returned home to find that her father had come to surprise her. He only gets to see her every few weeks.

We were approaching and she saw his car and her face got all excited, her tone got louder, and her eyes started searching for that one that she loves.

As we opened up the door she barged past my talk of taking off coats and boots and straight into the kitchen where he was seated.

And she stood before him, eyes downcast, her shy smile playing on her face, so excited that he was there.

It wasn't long until she broke past her shyness to hug him with all that she was worth.

I tried to persuade her to carry on with our schedule, to get her boots and coats off and to get ready to have a snack, but I knew that it would be useless.

She was entranced with her Daddy, that one that calls her silly names, and makes her laugh.

Now those seven days are over, as soon as I walked in the door last night. I heard laughter emitting from the back rooms of the house and remembered.... they're home!

And I took off my bags, coats and shoes, and went back, still all painted up from performing that night.

They were there, looking through pictures taken this past week of a gymnastics meet, of an Awana Grand Prix, of life while they were gone, sorting through report cards, listening to stories and getting back into the groove of things.

And I sat on the bed for awhile, and then when some of the crowd had dissipated because of an impending bedtime, I sat where I am most comfortable.

In his lap. With my head snuggled down into his shoulder, my Daddy's lap is one of my favourite places to be, especially after a long day.

And I sat there, hearing his heart beat and feeling safe. So very *safe*.

I'm so glad that I am no longer in charge. That there's someone else to do the directing and that I can simply "be" again.

And I am so glad that they are home.

Because they are home.

These past seven days haven't been the best in regards to meeting with my other Daddy. Sleep deprivation seems to eat away at one's desire to wake up early and spend time talking to someone who sometimes seems more tangible than at other times.

But He moves in my life, and I know that He's here, through the grace that He gives when it seems like everything's going downhill and the peace He gives when I feel so overwrought.

And  I should be as excited to meet with my Daddy as she was. Shy, but excited, knowing that He cares more for me than any other that I know. Confident in His love for me.

I should feel as comfortable and safe in His lap as I do in my earthly Daddy's lap. Knowing that I am cared for and looked after, knowing that He knows.

Through the actions of others, He once again gives me a glimpse into who He is.

And I'm so glad that they're home.