I Will Miss This Someday

Parenting can fall into a joyful category during most hours of the day.  But, there are those moments on the complete opposite end of the spectrum.  You know, those times when you feel blood boiling inside and not sure if everyone will come through it alive.  Or those times when YOU need the ‘time out’.

I speak about the day to day struggles a parent encounters.  I have a laundry list of examples.  The moments vary depending on the phase of the child.  In the beginning, a pacifier, bottle, rocking or just a voice can calm any storm.  With age, calming methods become individualized and difficult.  Creativity must come into the scene as I work diligently to referee an argument, console a broken heart, heal a wound or feed a nutritious meal.  Some days feel like a tornado while others feel like a peaceful sunny sky kind of day. 

One line reruns through my thoughts daily as every muscle tenses at the sound of crying, whining, fighting or nagging:  I will miss this someday.  Really?  Am I going to miss the constant sweeping up of grass tracked in from playing outside?  Am I going to miss the smudged up glass leading to the back porch?  Am I going to miss the comments:  “You are so mean,” or “I don’t like. . .,” or “I need this and I need that?”  No, wait a minute, I bet it will be the smelly, preteen room I enter with caution that will be missed. 

Guess what?  I think it will be all of this and so much more that will be missed.  Each phase entered brings with it a bit of sadness that the last one passed so quickly.  Yet, with the sadness comes joy when maturity shines through, kind acts appear without prompting and true love begins to fill their hearts.  I sure miss my little man and my little peanut. . .but the boy/girl they are becoming amazes me!

Let me share with you the true things that will be missed when the nest empties. . .

Encouraging artwork

Innocent laughter

Being needed to care for wounds (physical and emotional)

Completion of projects with teamwork

Reminder of what fun looks like

Fort building days

Someone to watch movies with

Someone to color with

True example of faith

True example of confidence

Caring hearts

Continual compliments (with a few honest criticisms)

Someone desiring to spend time with me

Fun

Laughter

Love

Family time

Family dinner

All of us closing down each day together, in prayer, with a little goofing off and a lot of laughter!

See, the Craig family doesn’t always get it right when trials/tribulations creep into our days; but, we do have one important factor which supersedes any attempt the enemy presents to bring us down – Prayer.  As a mother, I fly off the handle way too often.  As a wife, I assume the worst, complain and try to dig into my ‘me’ box too way too often.  Consistent prayer time together opens up the forgiveness door.  My children forgive.  My husband forgives.  With each episode, I experience an indescribable growth in my Christian walk.  I thank God for sending me three angels to walk through life with and for the grace shown daily to this mom/wife.  I pray that, once the nest is empty, my husband and I remember all these little children taught us along the way.    

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

No Excuses

He brought the flyer home from school one day.  With excitement, my son approached my husband and me asking to join.  The information provided practice dates, times and few other details needed to sign-up.  Since my son began running a few 5Ks here and there, his love increased.  I believe the factor that set his love for running through the roof is the moment his feet crossed the finish line prior to his dad’s.  Therefore, it came as no real surprise when a flyer announcing cross-country caught his attention. 

While running (or exercise in general), bodies release endorphins.  These powerful little protein-like molecules serve mightily to bring wholeness within the body.  No wonder, running helps my son in more ways than he can imagine.  Running releases stress, increases confidence and helps with GI concerns my son experiences from time to time.  The child seen post run differs from the child pre run.  Therefore, I shared in the excitement when viewing the flyer and seeing the desire to join. 

Time passed and practice day approached.  We continued to explain to him the need for preparing the body for such intense exercise coming soon to his life.  Since it was summer, he felt the need to do nothing of the sort and relax!  Well, we began discussions in greater detail of what to expect when being on the cross-country team.  My son wants to run, loves to run and feels great post run.  That being said, when opportunity arose to take a run, excuses came out of the woodwork.

First, he did not have proper shoes; therefore, his feet/ankle hurt post run.  Legitimate and understandable excuse; so, we went and purchased running shoes.  Then, weather came into play.  He could not fathom the idea of getting wet while running.  I informed him of the fact that cross-country is not baseball and the show will go on despite soft, wet ground.  Again, an excuse arose of the minor hill existing on our road.  I informed him of the fact that cross-country is not track and paths will encompass hills, twists and turns prior to reaching the finish line.  Eyes glued to iPad, he listened with a few retorts here and there. 

Remember that moment you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior over your life (if that has not been the case yet in life, talk with a Christian friend about salvation)?  The excitement when joining His team remains indescribable.  The information leading up to such a grand decision provided great details needed to understand and believe Jesus came, walked among men, led a sinless life, yet became sin so that we may live!  We began running toward Jesus in various areas of life, knowing a change needed to take place.  Our love for Jesus increased each time He spoke into a situation, helping us through troubles.  The factor that sent love for Jesus through the roof varies among individuals.  That factor, though different among testimonies shared, led our hearts to the cross.  God is not surprised when seeing professions of faith, proclamations of Jesus as Lord and Savior and proceedings of Baptism.  He knew we were coming to join the team.

Time passes and life continues to happen.  We see that joining the team, making the decision, is not the end; but, just the beginning. . . ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17.  That being said, when opportunity comes for us to shine through, learn more about Him, rely on faith in a situation, be bold for Him, etc., do we make excuses?  Okay, okay, yes I believe Jesus is Lord and Savior over my life, but You want me to say what to a non-believer?  You want me to take time for quiet to hear Your voice when my schedule is packed full of activities?  You desire me to just lay this hardship at the cross and trust You to make it all work for good?  You speak of waiting patiently; do You see what is going on here?

My dear friends let us run the race with perseverance.  Eyes glued to God, ears perked to hear His still, small voice and mouths speaking no retorts.  Place on the full armor provided in Ephesians 6:10-20 in readiness for whatever terrain may come your way today.  Soak in His Word, replacing any of the enemy’s lies, keeping His light shining whatever storms may come your way today.  Prepare, for this world continues to increase in trouble and tribulation.  Do not lose heart, keep fleshly desires away and take a stand on His Truth.  He waits at the finish line for you.  Assure that the child seen pre decision differs from the child seen post decision.  Allow the Holy Spirit to work diligently in you to release peace, confidence and comfort and bring wholeness to the body.  It is then, His power shines through.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.