Tag: Sept 2019

Can anyone relate that this time of year is hard? School starting up again and not ready to let go of my four kids going off to school. They are entering in 9th grade, 7th grade, 4th grade, and 2nd grade this fall made me think how fast time is going. We had an amazing summer and made so many memories together as a family that when school comes it is so hard to let them go. I am honored to be a stay at home mom so that means being with them each and every day which makes it harder to see them go off to school and gone all day.    I now have a freshman in high school and that just makes things become more real that time is going fast and I don’t have much longer with her at home and only a few more summers too!  I thought each year would get easier but it is harder letting go knowing that how fast they are growing up. You want time to stop as a mom and if your in my shoes you know the feelings and emotions that go with it.​

God has reminded me to turn to Him to carry me through this time. Also God is helping me understand the journey in letting go so He can use them in mighty ways. That is my prayer for my kids to be a “light” in the schools and be God’s vessels. I feel God gently nudging me to get out of the way so He can use their gifts and talents for His glory. Detaching is hard and doesn’t come easy especially as your kids get older since they don’t need you as much. As mom, in some way want to feel needed and wanted by your kids.  So I am learning to let go and slowly give them their independence. It is not easy but with my faith, God is guiding me through each stage.

​Lastly , don’t underestimate the power of prayer because prayer is what gives me peace when they are at school that God is taking care of them. We prayed for certain teachers for our kids and God answered our prayer and we got the teachers and some friends they wanted in their class. So remember to pray for your children and remember who is taking care of them and protecting them. God will be strong in you as a mom and be the protector for your kids. Don’t forget, Joshua 1:9 ” Have I not commanded  you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”​​

It’s the end of a busy work day and my husband and I decide to grab a quick sandwich from the local sub shop. As soon as we start to eat I notice the table next to us. There’s a father with his two adorable sons. A few minutes pass, no one says a word. 10 minutes pass, still nothing. By the time we finish eating barely anything was said.

What was wrong with this picture? No-one seemed mad or upset. There was no tension in the air. Dad was on his phone, scrolling away. Teenage son was texting, and the little one was on his pad watching a movie. I wondered if there was something missed. What if teenage son was worried about his test at school earlier that day? What if little one had learned something new from his teacher to share? What if dad had something meaningful to say, even encouragement to give to his sons? But there were no conversations happening at that table. 

So of course I start thinking about growing up and how other than a little television set, there were no other technological distractions around our dinner table. Matter of fact my parents intentionally left the t.v. off because it was important to them to hear about our day. They wanted to offer moments of guidance, and yes they wanted to encourage us if the moment arose. Even if we were eating out, no old school Gameboys to pass the time. It’s sad to think that this is now becoming some type of ancient practice, but face to face conversations still matter today as much as it did yesteryear. Nothing can replace it. 

The same goes for our relationship with God. Nothing can replace just talking to Him directly or spending time in His presence. No vlog, or blog, or social media post about our love for Him can take its place. I’m saying this to you and to me, don’t forget to interact face-to-face with the ones you love. Don’t forget about the original and actual “Face Time”. The next time you’re tempted to zone out at the dinner table take a moment to remind yourself, “I can never have this moment again. I can make this moment memorable with the ones I love because they are worthy of my full attention.” The world can call it ancient practice but we know it’s essential to an abundant life.