Well, hello! I promise I didn't mean for it to be so long between posts. But recently, I realized how much I miss not being able to go back and read stories and moments from our family for the last year, so I hope to revive the blog!
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As we were backing out of the garage this morning, Kade commented, "Yuck!!! Our Jack O' Lantern is dying and gross! But our pumpkins still look great!" Before I even had a chance to respond, Marleigh jumped right in. "Bubba, it is because the Jack O' Lantern is hollow. It has nothing inside to hold it up or to make it strong. The pumpkins are filled with pumpkin guts that allow it stay strong and not shrivel up."
Wow. Marleigh could not have spoken any more directly to my heart. The last couple of days have just been sort of rough. Nothing really major has happened, With having a daughter in heaven, some days just seem a little tougher. Marc has been out of town for work. Everyone has these days. I was just trudging through them, knowing there would be better days ahead. But in that moment, it hit me: Was I a Jack O' Lantern or a Pumpkin? Initially, when all that fills it is removed, a Jack O' Lantern is pretty. It still stands tall. But over the course of a few short days, it weakens and wilts. It can not withstand the void inside. The pumpkin has substance. It is solid and stronger than the Jack O' Lantern. The pumpkin remains standing long after a Jack O' Lantern has fallen flat.
Maybe the reasons the last few days seemed difficult was that I needed a reminder that I am a pumpkin. I need to be full of Him in order to endure all the bumps in the road. On my own I will quickly wither and fade. But if I seek to be full of Him, I will stand solid and strong.
I put the car in park and had a quick moment with my sweet kiddos. We decided we all wanted to be pumpkins. However, instead of being filled with pumpkin guts, we will be full of Him.
Thank you, God for the constant reminders. You always know just what I need to hear, and use the most precious tools to deliver them.
