Beauty in a Chinese Restaurant {Day 18}

“I have an idea Mama. Let’s each go up to the buffet and try something we have never had before.” We are sitting at his favorite Chinese restuarant. I soak up the minutes and his chatter. Jumping from school to baseball to the food we are eating and back again. Its just the two of us and I know these moments will soon be gone and that ‘tomorrow’ I will be seeing him off to college.

But for today he is seven and his heart is full of recess conversations I can’t keep track of. I ask questions and I listen. Amazed at his story telling skills and his sense of humor. He tries his ‘new to him’ crab meat and declares it a winner. And I marvel at this boy who will try any food, but didn’t want to try to learn to ride his bike until “I know how to do it”.

Our night wasn’t planned this way, but spontaneity gave way and we find ourselves on a mother son date. And tonight I’m aware of wanting to hold on to it. Of letting the restaurant noise fade. Of focusing my whole attention on him.  Discovering what Eli and Brandon had for lunch and the newest Minecraft strategy. Knowing that these things that we discuss will someday be big things….and knowing to him they already are.

Then the fortune cookies come and I open mine:

“Why are you crying mama? Is this one of those times you get tears because you are happy?”

Happy and amazed. Seen and noticed. Believed by a Father who loves me. Trusted by a second grader who loves me. Depth of love reaching out to me on a random Friday night, at a restaurant in a small town. Goodness and beauty through words on a slip of paper.

Ah, yes beauty all around me. Surrounding me. And as I open my eyes tonight, this is what I see:

Beauty of a God who would care enough to give me encouraging words.

Beauty of knowing I’m doing what I’m made to do, right now.

Beauty of plans that change and surprise gifts come along.

Beauty of deep brown eyes that are my dinner companions.

Beauty that comes from the moments we can’t plan.

Beauty that is simple and kind and everyday.

Beauty that protects and fights for the heart of a little boy.

Sometimes I plan ahead what beauty I will see and sometimes God has other things in store. So a planned post is moved aside and I pray that I may keep my eyes open to his movement and to his beauty, staying in the moments he places me.

Linking today with Still Saturday. and Weekend Brew.

I am participating in The Nester’s 31 Days of Series. Click right here to see all the amazing topics!  I am writing on 31 Beauty Full Days.  You can read the intro post here.  And you can also always click on the button on the sidebar to see all posts in the series.

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