Recently I had the honor of delivering a hard cover copy of “The Wondrous Story of the Little Shoe” to a local young mother of twins. Since it was a contactless delivery, I missed the initial encounter of this mom with the book. The precious note I later received that day is a message I shall forever treasure:
“Dear Chris,
The kids are napping, but I couldn’t wait to read it. I’m crying. What a beautiful story and captured in such an adorable way. I especially love the picture of you praising Papa God. Your illustrator did a fantastic job capturing you!!!! Wow. “
That was a phrase that my dear mother-in-law or “mother-in love” as I preferred to call her, used to tell me. As a young mother with active children and never-ending responsibilities, I looked forward to our out-of-town visits with her way back when.
She was wise in common sense, enjoying life in the practical kind of ways. I could rest for a while and cease from being on-call to my family’s beckoning when we were in her home. She loved her grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to live out that reality fully with them.
I always knew that her heart would sink a bit when the time came for us to leave and travel home. She had so looked forward to our time there and in the aftermath, what would she do? What new project would become her dear endeavor?
That’s when those sweet words would be delivered and my heart would soak them up: “New inspiration will come from somewhere.” She was really telling herself that exhortation, but I would carry it with me for the rest of my life.
When a project was completed, when a grown child would leave home, or a holiday was over… when another year would end or a graduation was accomplished I comforted myself with “New inspiration will come from somewhere.” And it would always come.
I think Mom knew where it came from and imparted that to me. It came from a secret place where all goodness and encouragement and loving kindness reside. It came from a place where even as an adult you are always a well-loved child, where anything is possible and dreams can come true in the every day.
I tell myself those words now, at the end of a day when I have created, encouraged, accomplished, endured, am all used up and have nothing left. I can bank on the knowing that “new inspiration will come from a sweet somewhere” and when I awaken, my youth will be renewed.
“New inspiration will come from somewhere.” My youth will be renewed.
