I was greeted at the airport by seven excited people and five floating balloons (and thankfully all of my luggage and less thankfully by rush hour traffic).
Hugs and hand holding and many of us talking at once.
Creative Commons: mae.noelle
Arriving home to a salad dinner (always what I crave) and a bit of maneuvering over who sits by whom followed by coffee ice cream pie (always what the girls crave and the adults thoroughly enjoy).
As the time neared for my sister and her clan to go home, one of my nieces and I were alone in the hallway. She turned towards me putting her hands on my face and looking straight into my eyes asked:
“Aunt Amy are you home for a long time?”
Yes, a long time.
“At least 365 days?”
Most likely!
Reassured she turned.
I see myself reflected in her, longing to put my hands on the face of God and say, “OK, what exactly is the plan?” The double check that this hasn’t been a bait and switch. Aunt Amy, you said you were coming home, that’s still the plan, right? God you said it was time to leave, that’s still the plan right?
I bet you can see yourself reflected too.
But intertwined with the questions that rise to heaven reassurances rise as well. You are seen, you are known. There is a plan.
David’s plan involved five simple stones; I had five equally ordinary balloons floating above saying you are seen, you are known.
Much discussion and thought went into the color selection and with the final decision landing on one blue, red, orange, white, and green. As it was explained to me:
- red/blue for Kansas University
- blue/oragne for The Denver Broncos
- red/white/blue for America
- green — “cause that’s your favorite color”
Indeed. I am all of those. And if that much thought and discussion by children and their patient mother went into balloon selection, how much more does my Heavenly Father care about minute details?
You are seen, you are known. As much as your family knows and sees you, how much more do I? You are Psalm 139 breathed life into.
Questions, yes. And there will be more and that is OK; David didn’t only have stones, he too had questions and lots of them! Yet with equal certainty, reassurances. Sometimes in audible words–Yes, dear one, I am here for a long time–and others in the form of the beautifully mundane, in this case store bought balloons. Questions intertwined with reassurances.
The balloons have lost their helium and sunken to the ground. If His mercies are new every morning, his reassurances are too and more will come today in other forms. I’m on the lookout!
How have you been reassured lately that you are seen and known?
Welcome home my friend! Welcome home!
Thanks!! Let’s connect soon :)
The way you see life through eyes of glory resonates with me deeply…”I KNOW YOU”. May your soul be anchored in His Hope in the midst of this change. I will miss your China reflections.
Love it! Especially the little voice that says, “Auntie, I missed you. Auntie, I love you!” Precious love.
From one aunt to another! I’m glad you’ve gotten to hear your little voice :)
What a great post Amy. I always love reading about your nieces. How utterly precious for them to expend so much thought and time on the right balloon colors. Hope to be able to get together with you over the summer. Let me know your schedule.
They are dear, aren’t they :)!
Welcome home..
That is pretty cool welcome home!! The top four things said to me by my body family/friends was: “Welcome home, glad you are back!”, ” My, Mongolian was certain good to you.” (referring to the weight lost), “It is like you have never left.” and ” You are glowing!”. The last two are the ones I like the most. It is reassuring to know that the ‘footsteps’ I left behind have made a deep enough impact that after being away for a year I can fit right back in. The last one, is the reflection of the glory of the Father within me that I have gain since being away. That is, I think, a pretty awesome way of being reassured to being known and seen. :)
Welcome home, friend. Xxx
Amy,
I like oragne balloons too! :) Welcome Home!! I really think in life all we really need is reassurances and not knowing all.
A car to drive and place to call make my home base in NEPA. And most recently and most importantly the constant sound of “Aunt Kristi” and three kids who want to sit on my lap. :)