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| Memories from the past are sweet blessings. Celebrate the first, but don't miss the lasts. Photo by Heather |
We always get excited and talk about all of our children's firsts.
Their first...
tooth...
steps...
word...
birthday...
game...
sleepover...
day of school...
and on and on and on.
All of these things are blessings, and I believe we should rejoice and celebrate with our children.
We should encourage them along the way as they experience many firsts.
But....along their journey, there will also be many lasts.
Now that I have two grown children and a high schooler, I know how quickly the lasts can appear.
Some of the lasts are easy to see.
Their last....
day of daycare...
day of elementary school...
soccer game...football game...baseball game..
tumbling class...
day of junior high...high school...
time to carpool...
day at home before moving out...
You know this list can go on for miles and miles.
I also know there are many lasts that are not so easily recognized. They seem to sneak in without you knowing.
Have you ever thought, while holding your child, this is the last time I will hold him/her?
I know I never did. The sad thing is, I don't remember the last time I actually held them when they were small.
I know one thing though, if I had known it was the last time, I would have held on longer. I would have made the most of that moment, so I could remember. I would have cherished every second.
While holding your child's hand as he learns to walk, has it crossed your mind, this may be the last time he needs you to help him keep his balance?
What about the last time your child carries the old, tattered, and stained blankie or stuffed animal through your house. If you knew it would be the last time, would you take a minute to be in that moment? To cherish it?
How about the last time they need help tying their shoe. Would you slow your pace down, stop rushing, and just breathe that moment in?
Do you remember the last time you read to your child before bedtime? If you are still reading to them, would you notice the moment it would be the last?
I didn't. One day, my kiddos just decided they were too old for bedtime stories and prayer. They decided they were old enough to do their own devotions and pray.
I do remember reading the bible with them each night and praying as a family until our oldest graduated high school. That is when that moment began to change for our family, but I don't remember the moment we were all together reading and praying for the last time.
Some lasts are not so lovely.
I think about times my children have fallen down and scraped their knees.
In those moments, they needed me to pick them up. They needed me to comfort them and give them an extra dose of love and understanding, as I would bandage their wounds.
Through that time in space, I was not thinking, this may be the last time they need me to bandage their wounds. I was caught up in the actions that needed to be taken without realizing it may be a last.
We may feel relieved when some stages in our children's lives are over.
But....
Do we know when it is the last temper tantrum?
Is it possible to recognize the very night that will be the last time she needs help falling asleep?
How about the last trip made to the bathroom while potty training?
Time already flies by so fast. Yet, we still seem to rush through each day.
Each week, many of us can agree, we have said, "I can't wait until Friday." Or "I wish Friday was here already."
We don't think about the fact we are wishing our lives away. Also, we don't think about how we are wishing time with our children away.
We don't put any thought into the precious moments we miss, because we don't slow down and take a minute to breathe.
We miss so many blessings God has given us. Especially, those lasts in our children's lives and our own.
I want to encourage you today to slow down. Take time today to hold your children tight.
Be intentional today to make a new and joyful memory with your family.
Tell your family you love them.
Breathe deep and be in every moment today.
Don't rush today, instead enjoy today.
Don't miss the the lasts that may happen, you will never get those moments back.
When the day is over and you lay down to sleep, think about all the events that took place today and gave you joy.
The beautiful memories made today are gifts from our Lord. They cannot be stolen from you.
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