For All the Moms Going Through the (dreaded) Clingy Stage

My daughter is beginning to cling to me. I knew this stage would come, and even though it can be inconvenient, I absolutely love that she craves my presence. When my daughter wakes up in the morning, the first thing she does is call out to me, “Moooommmmaaa, I’m uuuuup! Come get meeeee!” (At least, that’s what I imagine the crying signifies.)

Watching my child gain spatial awareness has made me consider my own spatial awareness to my heavenly Father. What’s the very first thing I do when I wake up? What if, like my daughter, I call out to my parent first thing? What if I call on my heavenly Father? “Good morning, Father! This is the day you have made – let us rejoice and be glad in it! Give me the strength I need today.” It only takes a second, but this heavenward call to God draws me into His presence.

But she’s taught me more than just how to start my morning. During the day, I’ll set her down in her play area so that I can try to do housework. Sometimes, this works like a charm and she stays busy. But every once in a while, she will glance up, find me, usually smile as I meet her eyes (*heart melts*), and then continue about her business – chasing a block or exploring her toy basket. That little glance is so telling. She knows that I’m near but takes a second to locate me to make sure I haven’t wandered too far from her.

As we go about our day – sitting at work, taking care of our family, driving – do we take a moment to glance at God?

We don’t have to check to make sure God is still with us, of course. Deuteronomy 31:6 promises that God will never leave us. However, we can affect God’s proximity to us. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

When my daughter is busy adventuring in her playpen, I’ll take the opportunity to do something quickly in another room, like grab some laundry from the bedroom or go get the phone charger. If she looks up and realizes I’m not there, she begins to whine and starts crawling in hopes of finding me.

I hear this and it draws me nearer to her because I know she’s looking for me.

When we take a second to glance at God, we are coming into His presence, drawing nearer to Him. God reciprocates our efforts. He hears our silent call. He sees our mental disposition is focused on Him.

Then, like James promises, God draws near to us.

I want to imitate my daughter’s dependence and cling to God’s presence throughout each day like she clings to mine. I want to be mindful of God’s presence even while I’m adventuring in my own playpen. It feels so backward for my 8 month old daughter to be teaching me a life lesson, but I suppose that’s just the refining nature of motherhood.

Once again, she has given me a new perspective for daily living.

In the midst of this crazy life, I will choose to take a second to pause, glance up, feel God’s presence, perhaps smile, and then go about my business, knowing He is near.

Happy Clinging,

Kelley Thigpen