Today’s guest post comes from photographer Anne Gaskill, a great friend and fabulous photographer. If you are in the Richmond area, check her out…she can make your kids look as cute as hers with her photographing skillz. And answer Anne’s question in the comment section or answer an interview question from Caryn’s interview yesterday for a chance to win “Mama’s Got a Fake ID,” a fab book on (re)finding your identity after children.

Here’s Anne:

I’m writing this in the midst of a kid-free week, blocking out the memory of all the noise and mess my kids make.  I have two sweet little rascal boys, but when the grandparents offered to take them for a week at their home 2 hours away, Mr. Gaskill Rascal and I said “where do we sign up?”  I had a busy week ahead and taking two little munchkins out of the equation led to a more productive time.

As “the most peaceful week ever in our home” went quietly along, I really had some moments to think about my time being a mommy and everything that this stage of life is teaching me.  What being a parent teaches you about your relationship with God is profound and amazing.

I love my children so much, but to think that God loves them a million times more.  I think that sentence is so much bigger than me and my meager explanations.

As parents we often struggle.  A friend of mine is currently in a battle to keep the twins growing in her belly healthy and safe for a few more weeks.  She is dealing with some issues that could cause her to lose her two babies and just thinking about her battle is breaking my heart. So many stories like hers make me think about how hard we often work to bring children into the world.  And then they grow up to be teenagers and we struggle even more to love them and teach them so that they will be happy and successful in life.  I am reminded of the struggle that God goes through to rescue us from the sin that keeps us from experiencing the life He planned for us.  He did more than I could ever do to save us, His children. 

I talk about love, but I do not even begin to understand.

And then God tells us to have faith like a child.  Seriously, I never got that for many years.  Does He want me to ask 500 questions in a mere 30 minutes like my sweet little 4 year old?

Maybe.

Does He want me to hop through puddles on a rainy day and enjoy his creation? 

I think so. 

My son asked me the other day if he could snuggle God when he gets to heaven. 

Yes sweet boy, I think you can. 

We could debate the theology on that one, but I don’t think we should.  A young boy knows that he can snuggle the people whom he trusts and the One who loves him most.  I think he gets it better than most of us.

Now your turn…what have children taught you about your relationship with God?

Anne is a mom, blogger and photographer in Richmond, VA. You can find her blogging at The Gaskill Rascals.