Cherish The Moments

I have been thinking a lot recently about cherishing my children. I have been struck by how many older parents or grandparents will talk about how they wished they had spent more time with their children, or how they wish they could hold their little girl again, or how they wished they had not worked so much. So many parents are filled with regret because they put other things above that which they long for the most now. They urge us young mothers to enjoy our children while they are young- that these are the best days of life. And I can hear the chorus of tired mothers exclaim "Are you kidding?!" And yet, they have lived it out, and we have not. I know I want to learn to enjoy and cherish my kids now, so I won't have to look back to the past and wish that I had. I have taken some excerpts from Marilyn's book- Parenting From the Heart- that speaks on this very subject. I was encouraged, once again, as I read over it. Take a minute, as she advises you to Cherish the Moments!

"I remember so clearly one warm sunny day in May. I had seven children at the time, one just two weeks old. The kids were outside playing under the sprinkler, laughing, making up games. God spoke so clearly to my heart that day, saying, “Cherish this day. Bask in this moment.” I did, and I still do now. Today, three of those little boys are married, two have children of their own, and one of the boys is in heaven, which makes that memory even more precious to me. A dear friend of ours, Doug Oldham, sang a song that I have treasured through the years. It goes like this:

"We have this moment to hold in our hands,
And to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand.
Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come,
But we have this moment today"

My prayer is that God will burn that truth in each of your hearts and cause you to “number your days, that you may apply your hearts unto wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Time is not forever. As a young mom, I thought the season of life I was experiencing (an infant, a couple of toddlers, a preschooler, dirty diapers, in-depth training) would last forever. It seemed impossible to imagine anything different. And yes, looking back, it now seems like each season only lasted a short time and I find myself wishing that season back again, even for just one day!
Each season has blessings all its own. Yes, it has its own struggles and challenges, but focus on the blessings..........If we learn to focus on it blessings and not its irritations, we can learn to cooperate with it. Instead of resisting it, embrace it, throw yourself into it. Young mom, don’t feel guilty for not being involved in a lot of church functions and leadership roles. Maximize your time as a young mom. There’s nothing more important you can be doing with your time than investing it in your little ones and leading them to God.........
Make the most of your moments today. Loosen up, look for the positive in whatever you’re going through, and make the memories you’ll all be able to sit around and laugh about for years to come!"

If you have not read this wonderful book- you are missing out on a blessing. It encourages and convicts me every time I read it. Order a copy of Parenting from the Heart today!

Kari