Join- An invitation I could not resist

I follow the paper trail of cut up pieces of paper across the kitchen. . . into the living room. . . and I can feel my heart start to beat faster and my cheeks are getting flushed. I just finished cleaning up the house on my Friday cleaning day and there are tiny scraps and pieces of paper scattered all over our main living space. Somewhere deep down the anger begins to boil up as I see there is a definite trail that, if I follow, will lead me to the paper cutting criminal. Within a few seconds I can clearly discern that the paper trail leads into my daughters room and I follow it. Her door, left open just a crack allows me to see in and I can see her with paper and scissors still busily cutting something. I take a deep breath and intend to go in and discuss this mess and a million other things and as I take a deep breath in and prepare to open her door, the Holy Spirit nudges me or I guess I should say kicks me in the gut. I pause and I watch her, she is absolutely beautiful to me!

She is fully in imaginary play with her paper dolls and the beautiful dresses she has made out of paper and decorated for them. The innocence and beauty in her play chokes me up. Her paper dolls are going on a tea party picnic, this much I catch onto. I am caught between should I sneak away from her door or should I stay and watch her a few minutes more but before I can decide, she sees me through the crack and with this amazing invitation she invites me to join in and play paper dolls with her. My initial anger has long been forgotten now, the “tidied up” house can wait. . . my beautiful daughter wants to play with ME and I don’t know how long these days will last. Some day there will be no 7 year old girl cutting out paper dresses and playing imaginary Samantha and Kirsten games in our house. Yes, today the paper trail led me to something much better than a tidied up house. . . it led me to join in my daughters sweet little world. And I am so very thankful for the invite!