One Tale to Tell

We spend our years as a tale that is told.

We are in mid-January, 2016.  I can’t believe another year has arrived and the other sailed away.  The speed at which an entire 365 days can disappear seems to amaze me each new year.  In chatting with those around me, it seems to be a common deliberation.

My dear grandparents just shared their 60th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago.  My grandma made a comment to me that impacted my thoughts.  “I can’t believe it’s been 60 years.  Where did it go?  I can see 16, but 60??”

Where does time go?

I have pondered this question numerous times.  It is a topic frequently discussed, with thoughts on why time goes so quickly or maybe how we can somehow slow it down.  We still have 24 hours in every day, so why does it seem there are fewer?

It seems no one can really give an answer.  It just is.  Then, I remembered Psalms 90 from a time I studied it over 6 months ago.  This is a Psalm written by Moses during his years wandering in the wilderness with the children of Israel.  The whole Psalm is excellent and speaks of life quickly fading and even Moses (waaaay back then!) understood life was short.  There are 2 verses that strike me every time I read them.

• Verse 9 – “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.”

WE SPEND OUR YEARS AS A TALE THAT IS TOLD.

After an entire year passes, can you recount each moment?  What about each day?  Each week?  Can you maybe recount something from at least each month?  A year is infused with fond and blessed stories, most likely sprinkled with stories of hurts and weathered storms.  As quickly as it comes, it slips by and we are left to share its tale.  Soon one year turns to many and we have spent our life.  The life we have been given truly needs to cherished for the moment we are in it, because as soon as it passes, it is over and soon an entire life becomes as a tale that is told.

I didn’t want this post to be depressing, but I would love to convey my struggle to grasp time.  I hope to provoke your thoughts, as mine have been.  The fun and fascinating part about it is, we still get to choose how to spend our tale!

So, how will you spend yours?  There is a second verse that follows the 9th one.

• Verse 12 – “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

TEACH ME TO NUMBER MY DAYS.

I have been asking God for months to teach me to number my days.  (Note: when you ask to be “taught” something, be prepared for a lesson.  You might go through some growing pains, but you’ll come out stronger in the end.)  God most likely will not reveal the actual number of days I have remaining, and I don’t think I would really want to know that.  However, there is a principle here.  Since we don’t know our actual number of days, we can ask God to teach us to number our days, meaning to help us recognize that time is short and to value each day and realize that days somehow grow into years.  I want to learn to notice that time is fleeting and life is fragile. 

THAT MY HEART MAY BE WISE.

If I can somehow learn this lesson on spending my days and carefully considering each one, I will live my life to its fullest potential according to His will and His purpose.  I will be wise in how I spend my days and I will be more careful and cautious in handling each one.  Ultimately, my relationship and duty with God, my husband, my kids, family, and friends will benefit because my priorities will be right.

When I have spent all my years, I will have one tale to tell.  With God’s help, I am choosing to learn to spend this tale wisely.

Don’t waste your story.  How will you spend your tale?

this is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it                                                 (Psalms 118:24)

 

 

It’s a New Season

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

I was recently asked by a mommy of a 10-month old, “is it weird that you don’t really have to watch your kids anymore?  What do you do all day, Jen?”

This question was posed as several other babies and toddlers were making “music” in the room.  (My three munchkins are still all under the age of 10, but are quickly developing their independence.  They had kept themselves busy and out of trouble for the evening and had helped take care of some of the younger kids.) Actually, I am beginning to recognize how much I have been depending on them to assist me around the house.

As I looked about, I tried recalling what it was like to have a baby around.  I tried to remember just a couple of short years ago to the toddler stage.  It’s very strange, but I can’t put myself in the daily life from those years.

Oh, I have lots of terrific memories!  We literally have tens of thousands of pictures to reference and cherish!  I even did an almost-daily video journal for many of those early years.  I can remember moments of frustration and exhaustion.  I do remember sleepless nights and having difficulty carrying on a conversation without interruptions.  The being on-demand at every beckon and the sore shoulders from always carrying someone or something.  Being a mom requires constant teaching, guiding, and time–no matter what ages your children may be.

But, my daily life is different now.  (Except, I still get plenty of interruptions while trying to have a conversation.) I’m in a new season. I tried explaining to this mama that it is a new and different responsibility.  The adventures of my kids as they learn new boundaries and test their levels of independence requires a different energy out of me.

The training is varied now.  I can’t just snap my fingers and say “no” to everything.  Sometimes a thorough explanation or consequence is necessary.  There are times when a “time-out” isn’t enough and some God-given wisdom is prayed for as I sit with my husband and we try to decide what would most effectively shape our child. What was once a broken toy is now a broken built-in desk.  Sibling arguments may now include hurtful words, replacing the hitting, kicking, or scratching.

My tasks have changed.  There is no need for me to spoon feed my children anymore.  There are no more diapers or spit-up rags.  There are no pacifiers or baby swings.  My kids buckle themselves in to their own car seats.  They put on and zip their own coats.  I rely on my tough, strong boys to help me shovel snow or carry in groceries.  They change the garbages, sweep the floors, fold towels, and can be super-men when I need them to run around and do a rush cleaning.  My daughter assists me with laundry and dishes, and is becoming a true help.  Our favorite past games like “This Little Piggy” or “Candy Land” are still fun on occasion, but “Monopoly” and other board games are becoming the games of choice.

Our conversation has shifted.  Gone are the days of freely speaking our minds in front of our kids, because now even the hushed remarks are partially heard by our eldest son’s ears as he asks what we are talking about. They pay attention to and evaluate everything they hear.  It can be a daily chore just making sure I am thinking and speaking right.  My monkeys still love to chatter, that has not changed!  It’s just different now.  The conversations we hold include more sharing of their insights, fears, dreams, and questions.  It requires me to learn, research, pray, and puts a responsibility on me to have an opinion or answer.  (Or, get one if I don’t!)

While all of this might be a new season, it’s still the year of mommy!

They still need me.  We still have toys in every room of the house.  We still have crumbs under the table and frequent spills.  I still get a sweet cuddle in the morning or before bed.  We still say a good night prayer and tuck each child in to bed. They still need an occasional band-aid and want to be held when they are hurting or sad.  They still adore a book to be read aloud or a funny song to be sung.  I still need to remind them to brush their teeth or take a shower.  They still need quality time and a hug.

Too soon this season will be swept away and another new, exciting season will replace it.  Today, I choose to rejoice in this season of child raising.  Enjoy right where I am.

As I reminisce about the years gone by and ponder our current stage, I pray I can be the mom I need to be for these three the Lord has chosen for me.  I pray He will bless me with wisdom and strength for the days and parenting challenges that lay ahead, and forgiveness and grace for the times I fall short.  My heart is happy and thankful.

this is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it                  (Psalms 118:24)