Get Lost in the Moments

By:  Jennifer Smith

I don’t know when it happened exactly, nor can I remember the moment the idea first crept into my mind. The thought kept popping up though, and I think I have finally come to peace with it. I’m getting old. Yep. You read it right. Please let me clarify….I’m becoming an old mom.

Gone are the days of little sleep and baby burps. I’m waaaay past potty training, and through the elementary ages. No, I’m now into the teenage and out the door phase. Somehow between the loads of laundry and dirty dishes, the countdown to adulthood has begun.

It’s such a bittersweet time. While I admire new mom’s babies and adore loving on them, I realize that I’m closer in years to being a grandmother than the years when my babies were little. Oh, how I beg each mother with little ones to enjoy the moments! They truly fly past! One day, your baby will not ask for that goodbye hug. One day, you will look your child in the eye and share shoes. One day, your baby will inform you that they are, indeed, grown adults. That day will come sooner than you can imagine!

So, for today…. Get lost in the moments with your child. Forget what’s on the “to-do” list and play with your child. See the world through their eyes. Read together, be generous with hugs and kisses, eat that treat together and laugh. You won’t regret it!

The Bible talks about our lives being a life a vapor. Growing up in the Midwest,on winter days, we would go outside and blow into the freezing air and watch our breath. It would materialize for a few seconds and then disappear. Just like the years of our lives – each season, whether good or bad… just a vapor. This thought should encourage those of us currently in a storm, and challenge us in the good times. Parents… your children will be grown before you know it. There will be a last sloppy baby kiss, a last time for the baby to melt into your arms. Take time today – no matter what season you are in, and enjoy the moment.

Are you going through? I’m talking, not the polite prayer kind of struggle… no, the gut wrenching, ugly cry struggle. The kind of struggle where you yell at God for where you find yourself at. The kind of struggle where you can’t see an end… like God has turned His back on you to help someone else. Is that you? If it’s not you now, wait a bit!

King David questioned God, Moses found himself in a terrible situation at the Red Sea. The Bible is filled of examples where there seemed to be no way out for the individuals. They displayed all of the emotions we have today as we go through our storms. Some had very public situations to overcome, and others took their heartbreaks and struggles privately to God. In each and every case, God heard and God moved.

Personal struggles can rip us apart. They can shake us to our very core. I’m reminded of the hymn which states,

“Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?

jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer”

My friends, just as the words from this hymn, “What a friend we have in Jesus” say… take everything to God in prayer. Everything. Bring your ugly cry. If He already knows your heart, you don’t need to make your prayer pretty, or “holy” sounding, but tell Him. He is pleased when you bring Him your trouble.

Your situation may not appear cleanly packaged with a bow on top…. But somehow, God will take you through whatever you are struggling with. Your struggle today, will be an encouragement and a blessing to others later. Ask God to not only help you to get through today’s struggle, but to help you to see what He is teaching you through it.