Lately, I have had the opportunity to sit down with my older daughter and spend some time creating things with LEGOs and coloring in our coloring book. Nothing beats this bonding time. While it allows for some mommy and me time for her, I must say it really does rest and quiet my own soul. If I am able to remove myself from the abundance of things I need to get done (it never feels like enough in this line of work) then I am able to enjoy the time of quietness and creativity.
Honestly, in most circumstances I feel as though I put my children last. This is likely part of my feelings that I am never doing enough. With my long list of to dos, time with them can take a back burner. This saddens me greatly as I watch them grow so fast and quickly. The evidence of their growth is especially very obvious in my youngest daughter who is still under 6 months. It seems like every week, there is a new milestone and every week I am leaving a younger child behind (she is no longer who she was, she is older, bigger and able to do more things.)
I am reminded in Psalm 127:3 that “children are a gift from the Lord; a child is a reward from Him.”
I decided to uncover the word gift see what they would really mean to my relationship with God and my children. What has God truly given me?
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The dictionary defines gift as something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, to honor an occasion. What has God given me. God has given me ONCE AGAIN, something voluntary, sometime that does not required payment from me in return. Can you imagine someone Christmas morning, tossing their gifts aside only to choose to go slave over trimming the Christmas tree or shoveling the snow off the walk? It would be absurd, even crazy. However, isn’t this what I do every day? I choose to toss my gifts aside and go work on putting away dishes, cleaning up the toys, windexing the coffee table, etc. Items that honestly don’t need to be nurtured, loved, or emotionally developed.
This week I am going to concentrate more on enjoying my gifts. I am going to focus on creating the largest LEGO tower I can or scribbling outside every line in the coloring book. God has given me these two beautiful gifts. Gifts that will be out the door and headed on the college or even beginning a new family of her own sometime. There is no gift like the present. Please encourage and remind me to enjoy it!
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Kellyann says
I really needed to hear this! Thanks for the encouraging reminder! I love your website and check it daily!
katie says
I was thinking the same thing just this morning. Well said, Ashley!
Meredith says
I love these posts you do every Sunday! I always look forward to reading them!! Hope to see you tonight!
michele says
Oh, my goodness. How I needed to hear these words. Its so easy to get caught up in everyday life and to sit for even 30 minutes and bond with our children and see the happiness it gives them truely is a gift from God. Thank you for the fantastic reminder. I so enjoy your blog and check it every day. God bless you!
lindy says
Ashley,
You are doing the right thing by taking more time with your girls. I think I can speak for almost ALL of your followers..we would not mind it if you gave us less so you could give more to your family. That is what this journey is all about, being good stewards of all Gods blessings, most importantly, our children (husbands too!) . Please bless your girls before they are 10 and 7 (like mine just turned 2 weeks ago) and you wonder how timed passed so quickly.
Michelle says
Absolutely wonderful message! And they’re only little for so long. I have a very hard time balancing every day life and actually spending time with my kids. I know I definitely need to spend time nuturing mine. Thanks for the reminder!
Tricia says
Ashley, Even before they leave home there comes a time where we, as moms and dads, get put on the back burner. My two are 18 and (next month) 14. They have their own agendas and my allotted time with them is the first to get cut back if they need time for other things. I have always struggled with the same things you spoke of and each day since their birth I have prayed for the Lord to keep them close to him and for me to be a better mom. If God never granted me another gift it will be ok as long as I have them. Thanks for the reminder. Hang in there!
Laura says
Thank you Ashley! I really needed to hear that today!
Rochelle says
Thank you! This actually brought tears to my eyes because I constantly have this problem of being pulled in too many directions, and very often run out of time for it all. Sadly, I also feel that my family is most often put on the back burner. Thank you for this reminded and helping me to reset my internal compass in the right and most important direction.
Kay says
Ashley, I have been experiencing these same feelings and can see the results of my putting my babies aside to “do things that’s going to benefit them”….something I keep telling myself. While deep, down inside ALL they want is to spend time with me, play games, laugh, and have “family time”…will definitely work on changing things as what we seed into their lives is what they will give out to their family in the future…don’t want to pass along bad seeds.
Reaping In Abundance,
Kay
Melissa says
Thank you for that. You said everything I was thinking and feeling and put it all into perspective.
Amanda Carnes says
Ashely, what a wonderful testimony you our to our LORD! It’s a blessing that we have the ability to reflect on God’s blessings in our lives..our family and friends.