Embrace This Season of Life
My boy was seven years old when tears welled up in my eyes.
Daddy said: “Go buy the boy some work boots, I’m taking him to work with me.”
So one day later my son was lacing up his brand new work boots and heading off in a semi-truck with Daddy. They were hauling an over-sized load hundreds of miles. I was so excited for my little boy to experience the road with his father! I sent along some homeschool books, a journal, a Leapster and his well worn stuffed doggy.
And as he headed out the door, I grabbed my camera to capture the moment… and suddenly the flood gates opened, and I was in tears.
Ready or not this little guy was growing up!
And as he pulled out of the driveway grinning ear to ear, I forced a smile to hide the tears.
Now – 4 years later – he’s still riding with daddy and helping him strap on loads. One day, I’ll probably watch as he no longer is the passenger but the driver.
How bittersweet it is to see our little ones growing up right before our eyes.
Sometimes we can grow weary as moms. The noise and chaos that children bring can make us frazzled. The toys spread through out the house and the dirty clothes pile – it all seems unending… BUT there IS an end. One day the children will grow up, and they will leave. This season of life does not last forever.
If you are a weary mom, add ten years to your life. How old will your children be then? My son will be twenty-one! In a flash, our children will be grown.
Will we have given our children the best of us?
Let’s embrace this season and enjoy what God created in Genesis 1 – family!
Genesis 1:27,28 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it.”
The framework of family is God’s idea. It’s not old fashioned – it’s fabulous! But it’s also hard work. Parenting is a sacrifice, a giving of ourselves.
Elizabeth Elliot says, “There are days when it’s hard to see where the giving of ourselves ends and the receiving starts.”
In our home, the door of the little years has slammed shut in my face. No more Barney. No more Matchbox cars. No more Big Wheels or picture books. We are in a new season.
Embrace your husband and children with tender hugs over and over and over. Be intentional about physically reaching out and touching your family.
Psalm 127:3 “Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.”
Embrace this season of life.
Walk with the King,
For more encouragement –>>Women Living Well: Finding Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids and Your Home.
This is my prayer daily. That God will teach me to enjoy all the seasons of my children’s lives, because as you so wonderful pointed out, when they are gone, they are gone.
Yes, parenting is a awesome sacrifice, but God gave up much more for us and is always willing to help us if we only ask and accepts that He is already sending the help we need our way.
Peace to you and a bless mother’s day to one and all.
Great reminder! In ten years mine will be 14, 13, 13 & 11! I can’t even imagine!!!
I 100% NEEDED this today. Two precious little girls (4 1/2 and 14 months) fill my days with joy, but occasionally, I have those moments of “I need a break!” I try to remind myself that they will only be little for a short time… but hearing it from another mother who has seen these “little years” come and go, I am fully delighted to be here doing exactly what I am doing… cleaning up a million messes, psyching myself up to tackle the laundry pile, loading that dishwasher one more time… things that I wouldn’t get to do if I didn’t have these little sweeties in my life. Perspective changes everything.
Thank you so much for this post! It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time!! 🙂
My sister posted this on her facebook wall and I am pretty sure it was because she knew how much I needed to be reminded of this in the season I’m at right now. It’s always in my head, but my heart needed to be reminded to cherish it all–to cherish them. Thanks!