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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Checkout (06/09/11)
It was a typical middle of the night event, typical at least if you’re a parent and have an infant. About 2:30 in the morning I heard my 6 month old son start to cry. My wife had just fed him and settled him in. So this time I got up. He was a bit fussy so I took him into the living room, hoping he would not wake her or his older brother in the next room.

I sat with him in a rocking chair that faces the living room window. It was a full moon so the light poured into the spot where we sat. I began to rock him, watching his face, marveling at the miracle I was holding. He stopped crying and was just being … a baby, looking around at everything he could.

Then at one point, as the moonlight bathed his face, I noticed he was looking at me. Not just staring … he was looking at me, checking me out, studying me. Looking at every feature, with a solitary purpose he was fixed on me. I began to hum and sing softly. He was listening intently, as though he were memorizing the sound of my voice. As he checked me out, I looked back at him and thought, “You don’t do anything!”

I mean, he’s just there. He’s so small, not very productive. He just is. And yet, my heart was overflowing with love and devotion for him. I would lay down my life ten times over for him. I thought, “Could I love you more?” I kept rocking and glanced out the window. The front yard too was bathed in moonlight. I was moved by this whole scene and heard a voice inside me say … “I feel that way about you too!”

I realized at that moment how much God longs for the times to just hold us. And how, by comparison to all He provides in our lives, we don’t do much. Yet, His love and devotion are boundless, endless. And He did lay down His life for us. I thought, “What is our part?” and realized … to check Him out, to study Him and learn the sound of His voice. A voice we need to know surely, especially during the rough times life can bring. The impact of the picture overwhelmed me.

I turned back and my son was asleep. I smiled. Standing up slowly I brought him back to his crib, placing him in it gently. I paused and whispered, “I will always love you.” I could hear that voice repeating that to me as well. How deeply must our Father long for those rocking chair moments with us … moments when He has our complete focus. Times when we use that focus to study Him, learn Him, to check Him out … all while safely nestled in His loving embrace.

I quietly left his room and got back into bed. My wife asked “everything ok?” I simply replied, “everything is fine” and then thought to myself … “sleep well my child.” Once again, I heard that still small voice direct that same phrase to me also.
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This article has been read 870 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jenna Dawn
06/16/11
Sweet story. :) Took me back to middle of the night experiences with my girls, so many years ago now. I loved how you tied in God's love for us as it relates to our love for our children.
Adele Butler
06/16/11
I absolutely loved this! I loved the part where you said that God would love to have those rocking chair moments with us and us checking Him out while safely nestled in His arms. I hope this story will encourage us to take time to have those quiet rocking chair moments with God. He longs to look down into our upturned faces and tell us how much He loves us. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story and reminding us of our Father's love.
Nancy Bucca
06/17/11
Mmm. Now here is one you can really "rock" with. You painted a perfect example of your message, explained the meaning behind it, then wrapped it up by taking us right back to your "painting." Very nicely done!
Belinda Borradaile
06/17/11
I echo all the above comments-this is splendid! Love the title. Such a cool reminder of letting our father be our father! I always tell my kids that god is our BIG daddy...but seem to forget that for myself!
Laury Hubrich 
06/17/11
Rocking chair moments are awesome. Thanks for sharing with us:)
Rachel Phelps
06/19/11
Really excellent detail here. Great message as well.
Jan Ackerson
06/20/11
Lovely!

I loved the Aha! moment of this piece--where you hear the voice of God. I think that moment would be superb as the ending of this piece, leaving your reader with that same flash of realization.

This was a beautiful read.
Kate Oliver Webb
06/20/11
Oh, what a moving and beautiful story. I was particularly drawn to our Father's wanting us to look into His face, study Him, get to know Him. Of course that's what He wants--and we need to do more and more of it, and really KNOW how much He loves us. Thank you!
Verna Cole Mitchell 
06/21/11
A beautiful devotional--one I could so identify with,and this was a very creative use of the topic.
diana kay
06/22/11
precious :-) from the amount of positive comments i am sure you will do well with this beautiful piece which is enthralling from so many many angles.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/24/11
This is a beautiful story. I left with a feel good feeling in my heart and a lovely vivid picture in my mind.

Congratulations for placing 11th in level one!