Convicted!

This is from Pearables Character Building Kingdom Stories. Enjoy!

I'll Always Have Tomorrow

A young mother named Rachel sat with her children at her feet. She was busily knitting a sweater for her husband who worked at the nearby mill. Her toddler came to where she was and pulling on her dress asked, "Mommy, would you hold me? Can I climb up and sit on your lap?" Rachel looked down and smiled at the baby, "Yes, I will. . .But just wait a minute or two until I finish what I'm doing here."

The toddler, realizing he would have to wait for a hug, wandered off into another room to find some toys to play with.

The minute that was promised, was soon forgotten and Rachel wasn't bothered again during her knitting.

Later on, one of Rachel's younger daughters ran excitedly to her while she was reading in the living room. "Mama, would you come with me to the garden? There is the most beautiful butterfly sitting on one of the vegetables that you just must see!!" Her daughter eagerly pulled on her hand for her to come with her, but Rachel shook free. "Just give me a few minutes to finish this chapter and I'll come out and see it with you."

The little girl hung her head in dejection and sadly walked out to the garden to look at the butterfly herself. Rachel, engrossed in her book, soon forgot the butterfly in the garden and the moment quickly passed by, leaving only a fleeting feeling of frustration that she had been bothered during her reading. The butterfly flew away and so had the opportunity to see it with her young daughter.

Moments often passed like this, with Rachel being very occupied with the chores of the house and hobbies that she wished to accomplish always weighing her down. Why, there wasn't enough time in a day to do all the things that needed to be done, she often thought! One day, one of her enthusiastic young sons came running in during a time of mopping, traipsing mud on the freshly washed floors and carrying a great, big, UGLY BULLFROG in his grubby little hands, "Mama! Look at what we found! Isn't this the biggest FROG you ever did see?!!!. . . "

But Rachel could only see the mud on the floor and in a burst of anger she yelled, "GET THE FROG OUT OF THE HOUSE, and please TAKE your muddy shoes with IT!"

The child, not understanding, tearfully backed out as quickly as he could. Rachel, feeling sorry at her loss of temper, soberly cleaned up the young boy's mess, vowing tomorrow to be better at controlling her anger.

One summer, Rachel's eldest daughter begged her to come and gather wildflowers from the fields in order to make wreaths and dried arrangements. But Rachel was busy with adult friends and visiting during this time of the year.

She regretfully looked at her daughter, "Tomorrow, dear. Tomorrow I'll try to find time to come out with you and gather the flowers." But each day Rachel was piled with many plans and tomorrow always came and withered, just like the wildflowers in the field that they had planned to gather.

Life flew by, one day melting into another. . . Each of Rachel's children grew to where they were getting married or leaving the home to make it in the world himself. Life slowed down for Rachel and the house emptied, for the work load lessened with the absence of each child that left the nest. Rachel, feeling the sadness of missing her children, decided one day to visit her eldest daughter who had married.

Her daughter gave her joyful hug at seeing her and invited her in, but said regretfully, "Oh, Mom! It's so GOOD to see you! But today isn't a good day for us to visit. Do you think we can do it another time" Rachel, putting a bright smile on her face, quickly agreed. Rachel hugged her daughter good-by after they plans to visit maybe. . .

tomorrow. . . !


Rachel had learned through a very big sorrow
that moments pass and so do tomorrows.
May we learn to live for those kisses and hugs,
For those squeals of pleasure at our boys' great big bugs.
For those moments of joy found in all God's creation
at our little one's "awes" that are filled with elation.
May we look through the eyes of a very young child
at their secret treasures, so hidden, so mild.
Not caring too much for the house and its chores
about cleaning those windows and old cupboard doors.
But putting first the best gift of all,
The Children, our blessings and a mother's first call.