Precious little moments

On a hot day, I truly hate turning on my stove for anything. So cooking dinner is a little daunting because I know it will add ten degrees to my house. Unfortunately being too hot truly annoys me. So on Monday night I was cooking dinner, my hubby and boys were building a train in the living room. All of a sudden my tired 20 month old love bug is pulling on my leg for me to hold him. I tell him "no baby mama's busy right now." Then James calls Noah back to the excitement in the living room. But instead of complying and making my life a little easier, he stands his ground and continues to pester me until I have to place him back into the living room. Frustrated with the heat, and my child I, let him throw his temper tantrum and go about cooking dinner. What is wrong with this picture? 
 My son was doing nothing wrong, he just wanted his mommy. Why is it we so readily get annoyed with our children when all they want to do is love on us? God has put this incident on my heart all week. 

I remember being a young mom ,holding my first born little boy ,listening to the advice of everyone around me. Most people, even strangers told me to cherish the time I had with  him, because it goes by in the blink of an eye. I laughed at them, literally, thinking no way. Oh boy I was so wrong. I have a four year old and a 20 month old. Where did four years go with my bouncing baby? Where did the past 20 months go with my youngest? I haven't cherished enough, I haven't had enough time with them and yet they grow up so fast. My nephew is now officially a kindergartner... Where is the time going?  Some days I look at my little Noah so proud because he is learning phrases and talking but my heart is aching because soon his cute little words will evolve into speech. My little man is growing up. Or I look at Logan and his endless imagination, remembering the past four year and how much he has grown and changed. My heart hurts for the loss of time we get with our kids.  This life is so so so short. Sometimes, most times, it is so easy to forget the importance of one day at a time.Tomorrow will be different. We as people take so much for granted. The air we breathe, the life we live, the heart that beats, the little moments of annoyance for our children who just want to snuggle. 
The phrase it could all be gone tomorrow is so true. They could be gone tomorrow.
One day, very soon, the wanting of mommy or the random I need you moments, will be gone.  Our kids are a blessing from God. They are not ours to keep. The belong to Him, our Savior. He graciously gives us these little lives, to nurture in the the Truth. We only get them for a short span of time, and in that short span they grow and change in a blink of an eye. So look at the moments of chaos with joy instead of annoyance. Look at the  entire box of cheerios thrown everywhere as a moment to laugh with your kids. Or burn dinner just to love on that child who so desperately wants a hug. Dinner or things can wait. Our kids can't.  In 5 years I will be looking back and wanting the moment back in the kitchen when I could have just snuggled my baby. Actually I wish I had it back now. But we will look back on our lives in times to come, and long for the imperfect moments. 


Take everyday as a new day. Every little incident or challenge with our kids as a growth opportunity in love. Our kids just want our love and attention. In retrospect, that not asking for much. 


Father God,
  Forgive me, for not cherishing the moments you give me with my family. Thank you for them and all they bring me. The joys, the tears, the sorrow and truimph. Thank you for blessing me with an amazing husband and daddy and two amazing boys. Thank you for letting me have them on this earth for this short time. Help me , guide me daily through the struggles and challenges of that day. And teach me to be grateful for the the precious little moments. Thank you for cherishing me and them. I love you Jesus! Above all else I love you and cherish you!

Thank you Lord,
Amen