There Is a God

I know a lot of people don't believe in God or, as they may say, a "higher power", but in my life my relationship with God is what keeps me waking up every day. But not only is He evident in keeping me and my family safe, fed, clothed and with a roof over our heads, it is God who created love. He allows me to feel His love on a daily basis, whether I deserve it or not.

I experience a lot of love, thank God. Even if I wake up in a mood from hell, ranting and raving about why the carpet is so dirty, why no one can seem to see that Nas needs his little face washed after oatmeal, or getting on Jay about her "morning business" taking far too long to get to school every day. And don't leave out Babe. There are some days when I watch him shower and dress quickly and hurry out of the door to work. On some of those days I just wish he could experience the 'joy' that our children can be so I can rush off to chat with other adults, sip a latte and be considered a professional. On such days, that hubby of mine can get a look that could kill.

But praise be to God, I don't go a day without a kiss from my son's overly puckered little lips (too cute). He'll hug me around my neck, smile at me and sometimes even rub his little nose against mine and say as clear as day "-Ello Mama". That's love.

I don't go a day without my baby girl hugging me around my waist and hearing her say, "I love you mommy, you're the best mommy ever." This from the same little girl I yelled at too much for, really, just being five. She'll pucker her little lips up before she hops on the school bus and plant one right on my cheek. That's love.

Babe has put up with me for the longest, 10 years actually, and knows me well enough to ignore my madness unless it becomes a tear-fest. One night I went to a photography class and when I returned he'd put the kids in the tub, tucked them in for bed and run me a warm, full bath with candles lit around it. He did this for his wife who complains, yells, and spends too much money far too often. Yes, for me. That's love.

Some say that love can be unconditional, like the love a parent has for a child. Love like that cannot exist without God there to fill our hearts with the kind of love He intended us to have for each other. I am just so thankful that even in the trenches of motherhood, childhood and marriage, God saw fit to give me a daughter, son and a husband who truly love me and all that comes with it...for Me.