"Sit!!!! Mama, Sit!!! PLEEEEAAAASSE" The demand rings out every day, multiple times a day. The sweet baby voice of my 2 year old son calls out to me as his chubby, dimpled hands find their way into the palm of my hand and tug me across a room away from whatever it is I am currently focused on. Nevermind the dishes, ignore the mountain of laundry waiting to be folded, forget about that broom...SIT, Please. Nevermind that we have looked at this 10 page book on trains a thousand times just this week. He is saying: I want you to sit with me right now. I want you to focus on me. So I sit. As I let him crawl into my lap, his hands reach around my neck to give me a squeeze and he runs his fingers through my hair as if it comforts him; I think it comforts me just as much. He cuddles in and I can smell his sweet baby smell and feel how warm and soft he is. I look at him and realize how quickly he is changing, his face doesn't look like a baby anymore and his body is becoming stocky and strong. I squeeze him tightly, determined to remember this moment because time is passing quickly.
My youngest daughter, now six, bounces across the room. She is bouncy like that...fluttering around without a care in the world. She stares up at me with eyes sparkling with infectious joy as if she is about to tell me a wonderful secret and simply says, "I love you, Mama" and bounces away. Her legs have grown longer...when did that happen? She gets lost in her own little world so easily. Make believe games filled with animal adventures occupy her thoughts as I watch her. Her sweet voice singing quietly....so quietly yet so beautifully. She is changing too. I eagerly get lost in her arms when she throws them around me in a spontaneous hug. Time is passing quickly. At eight years old my middle daughter is teetering between the worlds of big girl and little girl. She is quiet and passionate, full of life, joy, determination and love. I look in her beautiful eyes and see a miniature version of her dad looking back at me. The similarities of their physical features and personalities are striking. Her eyes can pierce you as if she can see straight through you, but yet the love radiating from her makes you desire the piercing gaze as if she is reaching into you and depositing a jewel of goodness. Her hair has grown so long and beautiful...I remember the curly mop of a laughing 2 year old. She cuddles up to me on the couch and doesn't have to say a word. She loves me and I can feel it. She loves our moments together and so do I. Time is passing quickly. My oldest daughter is 10. I shake my head as this realization sinks in. Ten years old, wise beyond her years and as delicately sensitive as a beautiful flower. She no longer carries herself as a little girl...more like a budding young lady. Things that once never crossed her mind are suddenly becoming more important. She looks to me for advice and information and I find myself longing for the days that she simply looked to me for cuddles. Cuddles are rare these days, but big bear hugs and "I love yous" are not. She freely and generously pours her love out on us each day and it makes me want to be like her in that way. Her laughter is loud and boisterous and it makes me want to laugh too. Such joy for life is found within her! Stepping awkwardly into this new stage in life I watch her transforming before my eyes. I'm proud of who she is becoming. Time is passing quickly. As these thoughts swirl in my head I wonder if this is how God feels as He watches us. Wanting to seize each moment with us. I can hear Him saying "Sit, Please. Spend time with me." He yearns for our time, attention, love, and focus the same as each one of us longs for these things from our loved ones. We should yield to his requests of time spent with Him. I'm sure that He watches us change and grow the same as we watch our own children and He knows all too well that time is passing quickly, but do we realize it? Our focus gets so stuck on things that don't really matter. Jobs, school, friends, a clean home, responsibilities, life in general. Yes each one holds importance, but none is more important than time well spent loving on your child, talking with your spouse, enjoying cuddles and giggles snuggled up on the couch. On the same note, nothing will bless our life more than time in prayer, getting to know our Abba Father and feeling Him love on us as He wraps us in His arms. Time passes too quickly to let the little things slide. I know that it is easy to push them aside thinking "I'll do that later", but the little things matter the most. They make the most impact on our hearts--not just our hearts, but the hearts of our children and the heart of God as well. Nothing says I love and cherish you more than your time and genuine focus. Have I mentioned that time is passing quickly? We don't have a moment to lose. ~Michelle
1 Comment
Chris Cooper
2/7/2013 03:23:01 pm
Breathtaking. This is truly amazing!
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AuthorsThoughts and ideas inspired by the Holy Spirit, delivered to you courtesy of Chris or Michelle Cooper. We hope you enjoy our posts and would love to hear your feedback! Archives
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