This weekend was Memorial Day weekend and Jami’s friend’s across the street weren’t able to come out and play much. All weekend I found her going to the window looking for her friends across the street. When they come out they don’t use the front door, they use their garage door. And when the door opens it means one of two things: her friends are leaving to go somewhere or they are coming out to play.
When we moved into our new house a year and a half ago we had an unexpected blessing in our neighbors across the street: the Jones Family. The Jones’ have two kids close to our kids age and as parents we all get along really well. When I get home from work it’s standard to find them all outside playing in the street with a couple of us standing around, watching and talking.
Now that it’s summer we have let her stay out later and later. They have so much fun.
Last night Jami was helping me water plants and she disappeared. When I went to look for her she was sitting on the front lawn just staring at the garage doors waiting to release her friends out to play. She waited there all quiet and full of hope until I came out and said it was time to go back in and get ready for bed.
Here is what I find heart breaking:
I want to give Jami the world. But the real things in life can’t be given out of an ATM; they come from people and they can’t be timed. I wish I could have given her her heart’s desire last night and all the other nights I find her looking to play. So I try to make up for it and play with her myself. And we always have fun.
Here is what I find beautiful:
That Jami loves her friends so much she’s willing to sit, watch and wait. The cost of waiting is worth the reward when she sees the garage doors open. And when they open the reward is play and she’s on top of the world.
Here is what I’m learning:
That God too waits for me in the same way. Waiting for me to open my garage door and come out and play. Like a child; He waits patiently. Like a child, He too wants to enjoy me and in turn wants me to enjoy Him.
This picture rocks and it’s yearning, childlike hope and patience are amazing.
I hope when I come home today I find them all over the street.