Wednesday, August 26, 2009

But I Don't Want to Wish These Days Away!

OK. Yesterday I wrote about a great experience I had with my son over the weekend and now I am writing about my feelings of despair from that same evening.
We're up.
We're down.
Welcome to my world!

It was time for bed, the kids were showered, and we were gathering for family prayer.
At this point, I had already become frustrated with Matthew's inability to stay focused and he had lost use of all electronics for the next two days. (Usually, the thought of not having computer time is enough to motivate him to stay on task. Not so Saturday night.) While I was hopeful that we could have a peaceful, meaningful time as a family with the Lord before heading to bed, it was not to be so.
The boys were fidgety and could seem only to focus on one another. I started off simply giving them "the eye," and when that didn't work I reminded them verbally about the behavior I expect from them during family prayer.
I am sure my tone of voice was less than loving, and I know the fact that I was quite tired myself didn't help matters. At all.
And when the boys continued in their rambunctiousness, I simply looked at my husband, sighed, and said, "One day. Right? One day."
Meaning, "One day I'm going to miss this, right?" I mean, that's what everyone says who has grown children. One day I'm going to miss the noise. And for a brief moment I thought, Ah, that day can't come soon enough!

But then I remembered, I don't want to wish these days away!

Have you been there, too? Perhaps you're there right now - caught somewhere between, Lord, grow them up. Quickly! and Oh! Let them stay my babies forever!
It's a hard balancing act, this mothering thing is. Don't know how I would survive it without the grace and mercy of God.
Check that. I know I wouldn't be able to survive it without the grace and mercy of God. Let's go to Him together right now.

Father in heaven, thank You. Thank You for your grace and mercy, which You give so freely. Your grace and mercy which none of us deserves, yet You lavish it upon us. And yes, Lord, I thank You for my children. Indeed, they are gifts from You - and when they're being quiet and I am not tired, it's easy for me to remember that. Please help me to remember it, also, in the midst of the noise.
Lord, we are in constant need of Your grace and mercy. And I am asking You now - for myself, and for each of my friends here - for patience and abounding love for our children. Help us to treasure the moments we have with them now, that we may not wish these days away. When the moments are feeling like too much for us, Father, flood us with peace and be our Strength.
We need You, and we are so thankful for Your faithfulness toward us.
Amen and amen!

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10 comments:

Deirdre said...

hugs.

Leah Adams said...

Karen,

I don't have children, but I can very much identify with the 'one day' mentality. As I look at the times we live in, I think "one day, Lord, one day, I will live with you and all this mess in this fallen world will be gone."

Then I think about the Lord's words when He said that He is not willing that any should perish. My 'one day' wish would mean that millions would die without Jesus. So, I balance my 'one day' with ' your will be done'.

Bless you.

Leah

KelliGirl said...

I've been having a lot of those days lately. I feel like such a bad mom for getting annoyed with my children...because they really are pretty darn good kids. I just let all the annoyances build up to the boiling point.

The other night I was particularly peeved. Then I received an email update from a friend whose 11-year-old daughter has been fighting cancer for over a year. How small my "problems" are compared to my friend whose been living a nightmare for such a long time.

Sometimes I need these reality checks to stop complaining and go to God with thanksgiving.

Have a blessed day!

Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19 said...

Ha! I felt that today, not wishing moments away, as it was Cailem's, (our second born), first day of school!

smooches,
Larie

Anonymous said...

Hugs, my friend!! Yeah...right here along with ya! Thanks for that beautiful & much needed prayer!!
Patricia nyc

Anonymous said...

Ha! I'm right there with ya! Have you seen Anita Renfroe's Momsence video? She does a bit about how people say "don't blink, you'll miss this." Then she looks right into the camera and starts blinking - really hard! But it's so hard NOT to wish it away - but how do you cherish the times when it's filled with ridiculous behavior! Only in Christ!

Julie Gillies said...

Hi Karen,

Thanks so much for visiting my blog! It's nice to meet you. Love the whole irritable mother thing.

I can attest that kids grow up in a flash. I have a 29 yr old, a 20 yr old and a 13 yr old daughter. I can hardly believe our fun "little kid" days are over. N

Thank God for my grand babies! LOL - Enjoy your kids, because it's true...in no time, you'll be wondering where on earth the time has gone.

Kelly said...

I'm there. One minute I'm so thankful my very active and independent is going to Kindergarten in 13 days, and then I'm thinking she'll be at school the rest of her life...our "baby" time is over. (BOO HOO!)

Life is funny, no? The best quote I've heard is that motherhood is made up of long days and short years.

Susan Berlien said...

I have a crazy 5 year old boy. I think we might be kindered spirits :)

Amanda said...

So glad you are getting some YOU time!! It sounds like you will make the most of it!!

Say... do you twitter??? I'm having a contest and you could win $100 cash just for commenting!

Blessings-
Amanda