What Makes My Kids Cry Today

If motherhood has taught me anything, it’s that kids can find any reason to fall apart. And sometimes, those moments turn into lessons that stick with me long after the tears dry.

This week’s meltdown?

I went to the jewelry store.

That’s it.

I wanted to get a quote for a new wedding ring to replace my original one—a simple errand. But while I was standing there, looking at sparkly rings, my phone started buzzing. It was a FaceTime call from my oldest.

When I answered, I saw my 4-year-old in full meltdown mode—red face, tears, the whole show. My oldest sighed, “Mom, he’s crying. He wants to see you.”

And there it was.

My son’s big brown eyes on the screen, crying because I had left without him. In his mind, my being home meant I was his. Not running errands. Not doing anything else—just there.

I couldn’t help but laugh. But it also tugged at my heart.

When We Can’t See the One We Love

Driving home afterward, I started thinking… don’t we do that with God sometimes?

When He feels quiet or when life shifts in ways we don’t understand, we panic. We cry, “God, where did You go?”

We forget that just because we can’t see Him doesn’t mean He’s not there.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us:

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

God’s love isn’t dependent on our ability to feel it. His presence doesn’t disappear just because life looks different. Just like I never stopped being “Mom” when I stepped out of the house, He never stops being God when He’s working behind the scenes.

A Reminder in the Rings

Standing in that jewelry store, surrounded by glass cases full of gold and diamonds, I couldn’t help but think about how love and faith age over time.

My ring tells a story—of years, laughter, hard seasons, and grace. It’s not being replaced because it lost meaning. It’s being renewed because it’s precious.

And maybe that’s what God does in us, too. He doesn’t discard the old. He renews what’s valuable. He refines the pieces that have weathered life’s storms and makes them shine again.

The Lesson

So the next time you feel like God has stepped out of the room, remember this:

He’s still there. Still working. Still loving you.

Just like my son couldn’t see me but could reach me through that call, you can always reach God through prayer. He’s never too far.

Even when it feels like He’s left, He’s probably just working on something beautiful—something meant to shine.