It’s that time of year for teary eyes as we look at photos of our babies growing up and graduating. The time of year to remember our moms and the childhoods we had and the children and grandchildren we now have. All those moments. So many memories.
We’re told to seize the days. Hold captive the moments that make our days. It’s a good thing to remember. It’s even scriptural. Remember that Mary treasured up the moments of Jesus’ growth. And when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper at church, we are doing what Jesus told us to do — “Do this in remembrance of Me.” He wanted us to remember what He did for us. It helps us worship Him and helps us remember who we are because of who He is.
But sometimes, just sometimes, we can’t seem to move onward from the past. We get trapped in all those photos of our children growing up and can’t see past graduations. Or, we can’t seem to be present in today because we hold on too tightly to the moments from yesterday.
How do we move forward? What are some ways that help you live in the moment? See my thoughts below in Good Words fromUnseen People.
“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” – Proverbs 27:1
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:18-19
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Good Question(s) of the Week: What is one moment from your life you will never forget? How do you celebrate big moments? How do you move on and live day by day?
…So seize the moments. Life will bring challenges. It will bring worries. It will bring opportunities to go to places across the ocean. But today, be present in the moment. Your mission today is to see the people around you in this moment in time.
Take a lot of photos and cry and remember when you dropped them off at kindergarten for the first day. Soon you will be dropping them off for their college freshman year. It is okay. You can cry a little. Take a few moments to celebrate yourself as a parent. It was you who drove them to school all those years. It was you who made sure their homework was complete, and it was you who sat in parking lots waiting for the school bell to ring or waiting for soccer practice to be over for another day. It’s okay. Celebrate the moments.
As a grandmother times five, I feel like I’ve earned the right to tell you to enjoy your children at every phase of life. Don’t wish away any phase of life, even if it’s the challenging toddler years or explosive teenage years. You do not get those years back. Savor them. Treasure them in your heart.
Please click the book cover below to get your copy of Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations. It is available in Kindle, paperback, hardback and audio versions.
ALSO, Unseen People has been out into the world for nine months now! I am celebrating the moments when it was released and I got to share it with you. What is one memory you have from reading Unseen People? Please share!
Life seems to move along at the speed of light. Sometimes, I just want to press pause and linger in the moment, and remember all the good things. Let’s do that this week. Take time to be alone with God and remember what He has done for you. And praise Him. That’s my prayer for all of us.
