A Sunday Thought on a Monday Evening

I found myself sitting several seats down from my beloved during our Sunday service this week. I almost always sit by him, but for some reason we got mixed up and several children ended up between us. After the last song was finished, we sat down waiting to hear the the Word for the day. I was sitting still when I realized that an arm was quietly wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me closely to his side. It was a familiar feel, but it didn't come from the strong arms that always wraps me up during Sunday service. I tilted my head up and looked into the face of my first born. He glanced down and smiled then squeezed my shoulders. He kept his arm around me until it was time for him to leave. As I listened to the sermon, I was rewarded with the smiles of a young toddler in front of us. I watched as his daddy held him lovingly and sang the words of the song into his older son's ear. I remembered those days, and they didn't seem that long ago. Now, my little man was holding me and reminding me of his love. I miss the days of holding little ones in church, but I wouldn't trade them for the days that I have now when older boys hold me. Time is never still. It is always making its mark in our lives or on our faces; changing us daily when we are not even paying attention to the fact that it is there. It changes our babies from little bundles of joy to large muscular boys. It scratches lines in our faces that were not there before, and turns our hands into that of our mother's or father's while we are busy with the cares of the world. I am not sad that my little man isn't so little anymore. On the contrary, I am enjoying watching him grow into a man much like his own daddy. I smile when I think of the days when our children were all little, but I also look forward to the days that they too will produce little bundles of joy for us all to enjoy. Until then, I will continue to enjoy each and every stage of life that we are experiencing. I spent too much of my life looking forward to the next step instead of enjoying the day that was before me. I have made enough trips around the sun to know that time goes by quickly, and I don't want to waste another minute looking to the next thing. I live my life purposefully to enjoy the journey. How about you?

grace and peace,
julie