We were driving back home as the snow and ice went from a light glaze to frosting branches with thick slabs of white and covering the roads. It was a beautiful sight that led me to realize how thankful I was for the opportunity to enjoy God’s creation.
It was at this moment I chose to turn around and see what my three hooligans were up to in the back seats. The older two girls were strapped in the third row chattering away and imagining all sorts of things. The baby, although she’s a month shy of two she’s always going to wear that title, was sitting quietly in her backward facing car seat. Quiet is abnormal for her, so I stared at her for a moment. And that’s when it happened. That little hand popped up. It wasn’t the type of hand raising like a student who wants to be called on. Or like a person waving for help. The way she held her hand in the air was almost like she was trying to gain a new perspective. Seeing it up high, twirling it around slowly, examining the nooks and crannies and bends and folds, entertained her just enough to keep her quiet and content.
I sat and examined that little hand too. Eyeing each tiny finger and admiring how pudgy and delicate they each are. Savoring that moment and realizing that it might be one of the few we have left. She’s left the baby stage, blown through the toddler stage and is running full bore into the preschooler stage. Each day she learns a new word, surprises us with a new skill and tries her darnedest to act like her big sisters.
How often to I soak in and enjoy the season of life I’m living right now?
The truth, not too often.
I’ve been trying to think of a word of the year for 2019…a focus or goal to encompass all I hope to grow in and change this year. I think a component of that needs to include Presence. Savoring. Giving and receiving Grace.
How do you start pursuing your dreams and taking risks, while at the same time slowing down and staying present to all the gifts you have in front of you? How do you maintain a healthy tension?
I guess I can relate to that little hand waving in the air. Reaching towards something only I can see, but at the same time wanting to just find a way to enjoy the ride I’m on.
House of Dreams 