Untitled design (3) Photo copyright 2016 Kaitlyn Mason. All rights reserved. Image created with Canva.

It was a tiny, plastic, light blue baby shoe.  Its cash value was likely not more than about 10 cents.

But this woman held it in her hands, looked up at me, and asked, “Would it be okay if I keep this?”

“Absolutely,” I said. “Take any of the decorations home that you’d like. They’re yours to keep.”

She was so grateful. She proceeded to tell me that she was going to put this little shoe in a small box that she keeps on her nightstand.

“This will be a reminder for me of an answered prayer! Oh, I prayed and prayed for this!” she exclaimed, as she held the little shoe tightly in her hands, pressing it against her chest. She looked like she might burst into tears.

She went on to explain that her small box held many memories and special items. This plastic shoe would be joining their company.

You see, this woman was the grandmother at one of our Mary Garden Showers. And because of the crisis situation going on, she didn’t know if she would ever meet her grandson.

But she did meet her grandson. And she loves him very much.

For this woman, the baby shower that was held in celebration of her daughter and grandson was a complete answered prayer. It was the icing on the cake of her daughter’s decision to give birth to the gift of her son.

Many of the women we have showered through Mary Garden Showers have politely asked if they could keep the decorations from their baby showers.

This is about so much more than simply decorations.

I can see it in each mother’s eyes as she holds a little baby shower banner or asks to take home her pink cups and sweet, decorated napkins.

Yes, this is about so much more than the gifts, the treats, the lemonade, and the decorations.

This is about Christ’s mercy.  This is about bringing people back to Him where they belong.  This is about extending Christ’s mercy to absolutely everyone simply because they have dignity and worth as a human being.

And that mercy sometimes is poured out to these mothers in the smallest ways:  a smile from a stranger, the warmth of a friendship, fresh baked goods, a sense of community, sweet lemonade…

[Tweet "Christ’s mercy can even be poured out from a tiny plastic baby shoe. With @maviecatholique"]

Christ’s mercy can even be poured out from a tiny, plastic, light blue baby shoe.

Visit marygardenshowers.org for information about how you can get involved with this ministry, and how you can bring it to your parish.

P.S.  God is merciful and He loves you!  Pass it on…

Love the Mother Copyright 2016 Kaitlyn Mason. Image created with Canva.

Copyright 2016 Kaitlyn Mason