"Something gets lost when we rush from one moment to the next, when we try to squeeze too much out of the times we're supposed wait. Something is sacrificed when we race through the valley to get to the mountaintop, when we hurry past those in need on our way to the next appointment." ~Jeff Goins, The In-Between, Part One: Slow Down
As a middle aged mother to four children - three of whom are all grown up, I've been pondering my yesterdays. The problems in this season of life are about college and career choices, relationships and other issues related to flying away from the nest. I've said more than once recently, "I miss the days when the hardest problem we had was helping Matt sleep through the night, or teaching Andrew to read." Those days were so precious! Yet, I remember wishing them away as a young mother.
"I can't wait until Matt sleeps through the night."
or
"When Andrew learns to read, I'm going to have so much time to...."
I didn't understand that one day Matt would sleep all night long, and I would no longer have the privilege of stroking his forehead, singing my favorite hymns and soaking up the sweet smell of him. I couldn't comprehend that little Andrew was going to grow up and we would no longer giggle about reading, "The rat is on the mat - do not hit him with a bat!" These moments passed into far-away memories - little pieces of my heart.
So now I am learning to treasure the present. Just as my memories of childhood past are precious, so must I see the riches the Lord is giving me today. I must choose to be deliberately present...to accept God's will with joy. I want to enjoy what God is teaching me as my children face their college and young adults trials, simply because I know that we will not go this way again. So right now, we have college courses, a trade school graduation, friendships, first cars, driving motorcycles, and learning Jesus in the midst of it all.
God has so much goodness for me right now, right here.
Recommended reading: The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing
Grateful for grace,
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I wish all mothers of young children would grasp this. I wish I did as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard, isn't it? We fail to understand that time burns away the memory of hardship, and what remains are the precious gems - the fruit of the hardship, the relationships, the blessings. What a discipline to develop! (To see the gems while you are yet in the fire.)
ReplyDeleteThis is just lovely... and so true!! Great reminder for me today!
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