Blessing Those Who Bless

Stacy Buck wrote:

For Mother's Day, I told Masie that I wanted to go out for breakfast. The idea of my kitchen staying clean through one more meal so appealed to me:) So Masie gave Ryan a sales pitch and we ended up at a very crowded restaurant. I devoured my buttermilk pancakes - I forgot how good pancakes taste when you don't have to cook them. During breakfast we noticed a young beautiful mother, with 3 small little girls. One was in a baby carrier, the other little girl was about two in a darling green gingham dress, and the third little girl was about five who looked just like her mother. This mommy was eating out alone on Mother's Day. Masie and I found the manager and asked if he would give us her ticket. It was time to check out and this little family was leaving at the same time. Masie made a bee-line to her and her little chicks and told them that we bought their breakfast and wanted to share her candy with each of the girls. The mother, Monica, was so appreciative.

Then she began to cry. She said her husband was in Iraq and it took a lot to be around happy people. I told her that God cares for her and her children and a free breakfast was a small way of showing it. Then we hugged... total strangers in a crowded restaurant with motherhood in common.

Looking back I wish I had gotten her number. I can't get her and her babies out of my mind. How many other moms were alone and even un-celebrated on Sunday? The rest of the day I spent praying for God to encourage and strengthen Monica as she ministers to each of her children without a physical hug of affirmation from her husband.

It blows my mind how much freedom really costs and how I take it for granted. Monica was alone at Jim's Restaurant on my behalf. The best $20.00 I ever spent was to know that being a free American mommy is heaven sent.