Love Wins

This summer Langston and I have spent a lot of time outdoors. We have the sun kissed cheeks to show for it as well as a lot of good memories. But there is something about his new fascination that has really triggered something in me.

Langston is really into 'sticks.' He has no prejudice against the type of stick he'll pick up. They can be big, small, thick or thin. He'll grab hold to a short stick and on occasion a stick as long as he is tall. If he drops a stick, even in the throes of exhaustion no tantrum ensues. He just moves on searching the ground until he locates another stick. For me, first time mom that I am, this is a fascinating process to watch. My little tot, who will howl as though there is no tomorrow if the kitchen door closes on him eliminating his access to all types of mischief or protest and there is no appeasing him whenever a found treasure--bottle top, plastic bag, broken glass shard--is taken from him, is completely unfazed about these dropped sticks. Why is that?

I mean times have changed dramatically, since we last posted to this blog. Langston is walking, I changed jobs, Don is seriously losing the battle with his hairline. There's been a lot of worrying, stressing and feelings of general discomfort about the economy and what it really means for us. Gas is $4 per gallon. Even today we face the possibility of a lay off and increasing debt. My stomach quivers at the thought, but there is a calm in watching Langston discover and then carry his sticks with such confidence and peace. What's he got that I haven't got? I mean how is it that this little person who gets so upset if it takes longer than 5 seconds for me to get the top on his milk cup doesn't crumble when he loses one of his sticks. Well obviously he knows something I've forgotten.

There's always another stick.

It's simple. Logical. And the real reason he is so certain in his 'stick' quest. Considering my metaphysical frame of mind...what is the lesson in this quest for me. There is always another stick. Is this representative of the fact that there is always another job, another dollar, another interview, another opportunity. The other day I was driving down the highway, minding my own business, when I noticed a bumper sticker on the back of this car. It was a simple sticker, no graphics, no fine colors. It couldn't have been six inches long. But the message stuck out so clearly to me:

Love Wins.

This follows the same logic as my wee one's meditation on sticks. Although I didn't know I was asking the question, God was providing the answer. No matter how many uncertainties life throws me I must remember "There is always another stick." And in the event that I forget this simple truth know above everything else that in this universe of abundance "Love Wins." Everytime.