We spent yesterday at Disneyland for Chad’s birthday. It’s easy because we basically live in Mickey Mouse’s backyard. (Well not really, but close enough).
And I brought a stroller.
My girls are seven and three and both of my girls stopped sitting in strollers promptly at age two. So even my youngest hasn’t ridden in a stroller regularly for at least a year and a half. Unless we go to some place like Disney.
Eighty percent of the day, the backpack rides in the stroller seat and twenty percent, Naomi sits down and watches the world go by at about 30 inches from the ground because sometimes her three-year-old feet just get tired.
In fact, most of her day at the amusement park is spent looking at the legs and rear ends of strangers. Not a great view if I think about it.
So she sits in the stroller and she’s even shorter. Even more engulfed by the pressing of the crowd, even more dependent upon me, and even more limited.
I take my own 5’8″ perspective for granted most of the time, as well as my own independence and my own freedoms.
But sometimes, she asks to be carried. I sling my backpack in the stroller seat and hoist her up into my arms. My older daughter pushes the empty stroller and I carry Naomi through the crowds, despite the lines, and eye level with the rest of the adults. Her perspective changes because she is sitting on my hip and not so close to the ground.
She notices different things, looks over at her father and tries to kiss him on the cheek from my own arms. She sees the tops of the heads of other children, noticing their name-emblazoned mouse ear hats or princess tiaras. She watches the clouds in the sky and sees the immaculate trees in the planters.
But I don’t think this is why she wants to be carried.
She wants to be carried because she wants to be close to me. I don’t think she really cares about the stroller’s proximity to the asphalt or the jeans-view of ten thousand strangers. Instead, she wants me to carry her because she wants to feel my arms around her and put her head on my shoulder. She wants to be next to me, so close that she could reach up for a cheek-kiss if she needs it.
So I carry her and try not to complain that the stroller is easier to push than it is to carry her. I understand she needs to be near me.
And sometimes I need to be carried too. By Him, who is big enough to.
I need to be lifted in His arms to be near Him. He picks me up from where I am close to the ground and then He carries me. And the most amazing thing happens at the same time: I begin to see everything differently. Suddenly I’m above the crowd and everything changes.
I notice people differently, I see situations in a new light and I even understand Him better.
What do you notice when you are carried?
Tea Cups from Sarah Markley on Vimeo.
Tags: Chad's Birthday, Disneyland, God, strollers, three-years-old
We just went to 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks as a family and took our stroller to all 52. Our youngest is 3 (2 when we started the Zoo Year) and does the same thing–rides some, walks some, wants carried some. Letting her ride on our backs works really well–much less tiring, same great view.
We went to Disney World in 2005 when our older 2 were 4 and 3. Ohhhh, I want to go baaaack!!
Looks like you guys had an awesome time!
When I am carried everything is just easier… my struggles, my strongholds, my hurts. Just everything is easier and better….
I notice how tired I was and how much I needed to be carried. I notice how loving it is to be carried. I notice how weak I really am.
smooches,
Larie
I loved how you said: Nobody throw up!
I agree about being carried.
I’m in the middle of needing to be carried by God. It makes me realize how weak I am and how strong God is. And how much of a mess I would be without Him.
I just LOVE your writings Sarah. I love to write but I can never put my thoughts down like I want. I keep trying. But then, God did make us all different with unique talents/gifts that He gave specific to us. I’m still finding my way around my new place and when I need Him to carry me, I can then see this place through His eyes. And then when He puts me down, I can explore more and enjoy it more as I learn more about my new surroundings.
Sarah,
I admire the way you are atuned to these God lessons even in the midst of “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Because I know if it were me, I’d get all grumbly at having to carry my child instead of deriving a spiritual lesson from it.
Amazing!
Thank you for sharing.
P.S. It looks like a good time was had by all.
Letting someone carry me -is MY Battle. I am independent, self-sufficient 30 somethin’ single lady. (hmmm. maybe, this is why I am still single.)…
I am learning that people need to see me being “carried,” too; and, it’s ok to show weakness.Most of the time, it is in these times, that people see/gravitate towards my Jesus.
Learning to Lean.
Love.
Reese.
P.S. Thank you Sarah for sharing; your words move me.
Sarah, you have a beautiful way of recognizing and writing metaphors. I like the way you see the world.
i feel the need to be carried right now. to see things differently, to see him, others, me (especially me) differently.
Loved your post! Your family video brought tears to my eyes, especially after finding your site yesterday and reading your story. God is SO good.
You have a BEAUTIFUL Family! Looks like Chad had a 35th bday to remember.
precious memories being made………
When I am carried I notice I am not alone and that I do not have to do all of the work. I can rest. I can cast my cares on Him. I am able to see that all of the things that feel so burdensome to me are suddenly much lighter.
What a great video… love all of the laughter!
Such a sweet post. My own 3 year old daughter often asks to be carried. More so now that she has a baby brother who seems to be getting a lot more attention. Even as my patience wears thin with her….I have to remember that sometimes she just wants to be close to me. She wants me to hold her and give her endless kisses if she needs them. She wants my arms around her because that is where she feels safe. Just like I feel safe in the arms of my Father.
I’m needing to be carried so this post spoke to me in a very big way!
I was thinking on this very topic last week and wrote a poem on my blog called “carry me lord”
It came from reading “Footprints in the sand”
“LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”
The LORD replied:
“My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you,
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
I love this post. What a fun way to celebrate a birthday
Cute video! I’m in the midst of needing a good piggy back ride right now… thank you for the reminder.
sarah..i love the way you write, from the eyes of a child and reframed to gaze at wonderment at God’s beautiful face..I recall with you how I being the youngest would be carried on my dady’s shoulders 30odd yrs ago..I knew the feel of his scalp smelt his aftershave n felt he thunder of his voice vibrate against me when he shouts a greeting..nothing beats that feeling..huge giant yet so gentle..the feeling of security of safety and belonging and ownership is sweetly embraced..Thankyou for reminding me to stop and re live those sweet memories of the Father’s carriage..
you bless me so..
I agree!
We all need to be carried and have closeness. Thank you Lord for you, for mommies and daddies!
amen!
the teacups make me wanna hurl.
i’m just sayin.
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