January 29, 2010


Gabriel loves to crawl in our bed to snuggle.  In fact, he likes our bed better than his, even when we aren't in it!  So, it's not unusual for him to crawl in my lap during my early morning prayer time.

 

Since Bryson is 17, can drive and is a pretty good shopper, he became the designated gift purchaser and wrapper for my birthday this year.  He did a great job in both areas!  Everything was color coordinated using my favorite color (purple) and sparkly (cause I'm a girl at heart)!  


 

Gabriel just could not be left out on buying his own gift to give me on my birthday.  His gift was a piece of bubble gum from the MAP bubble gum machine.  I'm glad he enjoys giving to others! 




 
 Take Notice

 

Today is my birthday! It all started with Sonny rolling over after midnight to tell me "Happy Birthday!" Then we went to sleep. Really exciting, huh?! I thought it was sweet because he wanted to be the first to say it on my actual birthdate.

After waking up this morning, Gabriel quietly laid his head in my lap while I was having my personal prayer time. When I was finished, he looked up at me, smiled, and said, "Happy birthday, Mommy!" It was so sweet! A little while later, I went in Bryson's room to check on him because he had a bad headache. As I was leaving the room, he said, "Mom, happy birthday!" When I looked at him to say thanks, he had a big smile on his face (even with a headache). Another sweet moment!

As the day rolled on, my parents called to sing "Happy Birthday", Sonny and the boys gave me cards and gifts, they took me out to eat so I wouldn't have to cook, I received a few texts, some cards in the mail, several emails, and a bunch of posts on Facebook. It was all so nice!

I just got to thinking about how blessed I am. I felt special all day because so many people took time to notice my birthday. Now, don't get me wrong. I am NOT tooting my own horn and trying to make myself look extra special. This is leading up to something besides letting you know how good my family is to me or how many friends I have. I really would like to put the emphasis on the idea that people took notice. They didn't do it because I'm such a great person, but I'm glad they did. Do you know why? Because it gives me a good feeling when people stop long enough to notice me.

Then I also got to thinking, "What if...?" What if no one ever noticed my birthday? What if no one noticed when I walked in the room or that I was talking? What if no one smiled at me, patted me on the back, or hugged me? What if no one noticed when I looked sad? What if...no one ever noticed me?

I'm pretty sure I would look and feel like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. I would probably hang my head low, shuffle my feet when I walked, talk with a slow, defeated tone of voice, have a gloomy outlook, and feel...unnoticed. How sad that would be. It makes me sad just to think about it.

Obviously that didn't happen to me, so I could just go on with my life and pretend that everyone in the world is just as loved as I am. Or I could open my eyes, take a look around, and see those who look like Eeyore - unnoticed. Then what? Take notice, of course. Do those random acts of kindness that we so often let go undone. ("Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17- NKJV) I could smile, open the door, strike up a conversation (which is definitely not my talent), and maybe even touch them. If it's someone I know from church, I could smile at them, open the door for them, strike up a conversation, invite them to sit with us, invite them to lunch, send them a card or note, call them, notice when it's their birthday, shake their hand, pat them on the back, and probably give them a hug.

So next time you are being showered with love from all directions, why not take notice and share some of that attention with someone else? Who knows? Someday we may be the ones who need to be noticed and that someone may just stop to notice us!

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Sonny Childs
P.O. Box 131
Paragould, AR 72451