Capture and Hold

The are moments in life you want to capture and hold onto. This is one of those moments.

Moms used to tell me “enjoy these moments, they go by so fast” when my bigs were little. I get it now. The time truly does fly by in the blink of an eye and leaves you wondering what just happened and where it all went. Just last night Liv said “you know 2002 was 22 years ago.” Give me a minute to go lie down.

There are times when I miss when my oldest two were little boys, but watching them live God-honoring lives is something so indescribable and awesome. I’m so proud of them and the paths they’ve chosen with God’s help.

Recently our grandson (yes that still feels really strange to say but I love it) was dedicated. The pastor who dedicated him had dedicated his mama, our dear Liv, when she was a baby and married her and Samuel. He was reminiscing about it and mentioned what an amazing young man Samuel is. He said “shout out to his parents who did an amazing job raising him”. I wanted to shout out “it certainly wasn’t us! God interceded a lot!”.

I stand in awe of the young men Samuel and Isaiah have become in spite of our parenting. Andrew and I have told our boys numerous times they were our guinea pigs and we messed up more with them than their siblings. God knew and extended a lot of grace during those years when we were just wandering lost in the parenting forest.

Looking back, I’m so thankful for a few things.

One, obviously, is God’s grace. He was always with us, guiding and directing and convicting when needed. And He is with us still. Never forget that, mama. When you are up in the middle of the night with a sick child, when there’s behaviors you don’t know what to do with, when people judge and criticize you for your choices. God is with you. And He desires to lavish wisdom and strength on you. Just ask and see if He doesn’t do it!

Two, I’m so thankful for godly parents who were in the thick of it or had just gone through it. There were so many people God placed in our lives who passed on godly wisdom to us in the exact moment we needed it. And did it with grace and love. We’re still friends with these people and can look back together on all God did for our families when our kids were little. Find your tribe, mama. Find those women who walk with God, seek His wisdom, and love you and your family well. Align yourself with other families who spend time in God’s Word and with His people. We were built for community!

Third I’m so thankful for prayer. I’ve spent countless hours praying for my kids. And I won’t stop! I can’t tell you the many times the Holy Spirit has intervened for my kids because I’ve prayed. I can’t tell you how many times the Holy Spirit has convicted me to stop and pray for my kids. Some of those instances I don’t even know the outcome of. I just know I was told to pray and I did. Mamas, listen to that still small voice and that uneasy feeling in your gut. It’s God. He wants to commune with you!

Parenting isn’t easy. And when they are little it can be so hard and feel so endless. It sounds cliche but try to remember it really does go by so fast. Capture those sweet moments when you can and hold on to those when times are tough. It makes all the difference!