Curl Up In His Lap

My six year old isn’t one to sit still anymore.
Even though her muscles are not like mine and yours, she never stays still.
I used to be able to hold her for hours on end.
Now I’m grateful if I get a minute or two while I read her a book.

But last week, in the hustle and bustle of the morning routine, she came and curled up on my lap.
For no reason at all.
And she stayed there much longer than I ever dreamed she would.
I was so very happy that my once little baby girl, was actually taking the time to rest in the comfort of my arms.
I just was basking in the moment of feeling her tiny body on mine—and I was so very conscious of the moment.
She wasn’t hurt or ill, she just wanted to be in her Mommy’s arms--
And I didn’t want it to end.
I wished and prayed at that moment that she would come curl up on my lap more often. So I could love on her only as a parent can.

And then it hit me.
That’s exactly how our Heavenly Father wishes us to come to Him.
Pure and without an agenda like a child.
Just for Him.
Just because we want to be in the comfort of His arms.
He craves our attention and dependence on Him.
Not just when we are hurting or burdened—but always.
He wants us to come just as we are—
Even in the midst of our crazy days—
He wants us to curl up on His lap….

And He doesn’t want it to end.




Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy.Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program.

Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com.

Maria's first published work is in Jan Ross and Jeanice McDade's Women of Passion's anthology, "Ordinary Women Serving an Extraordinary God". Both Kim and Maria have been selected to have their work tentatively included in Lori Wagner,s upcoming book, Quilting Patches of Life, Volume 2.

Maria is very passionate about getting the word out to special parents that they are not alone in their journey of raising their special child; and that they were chosen by God to parent their children. Maria welcomes comments and communication as well as invitations for her to speak to your group.