Saturday, February 6, 2021

The Crib

 



The crib pictured above has served as the sleeping quarters for two of the dearest souls on Earth. Soon, it won’t be needed any longer. Admittedly, we have kept our daughter there longer than we planned.


As emotional as it makes me to admit that babyhood is now in our past, I have made a certain peace with it (only slightly weepy as I type this).   For I do know, its passing has meant no more diapers or nightly wakings. My own body is certainly thankful we are “done.”


In some moments of clarity recently, I can surely say that most of life is passed in eras just like this. We bid goodbye to yesterday and step into a new tomorrow constantly. No matter if the crib is in your past, present, or future, you can still relate to the idea that in good times or hard times, no matter how long a season seems to endure, “this too shall pass.”


This too shall pass, or “TTSP” as I have heard it quoted, is a mantra worth holding onto these days.  For the tougher moments, it is a way to cope and see light ahead. 


Are your mornings rushed and hectic with the loading of kids and backpacks into the car?  If so, TTSP...


Has the pandemic stretched you so thin at work that you are a shell of yourself by the time you get home?  If so, TTSP...



For the sweeter times, it is a valid reminder to hold onto the present moment.


Does your little girl ask to paint your nails weekly? 

Does your son still enjoy a bedtime story?  

Are the kids still thrilled to run in the sprinkler?  To all of these, TTSP...


You and I both know that time marches on, no matter what stage we find ourselves. 


Let’s praise God for that.  I, personally, have to be careful not put myself in a cycle of mourning every time we approach a “last” in any given era.


God’s desire could not be stagnancy. One just needs to remember the swirling ocean currents, the moon phases, seasons, births, deaths, dawns , and dusks to know that His design is always of renewal. And in each phase, there is good and there is purpose—- even when it is painful.


Ecclesiastes 3 states it perfectly:


“Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. 


He sets the time for birth and the time for death, the time for planting and the time for pulling up, the time for killing and the time for healing, the time for tearing down and the time for building. 


He sets the time for sorrow and the time for joy, the time for mourning and the time for dancing, the time for making love and the time for not making love, the time for kissing and the time for not kissing. 


He sets the time for finding and the time for losing, the time for saving and the time for throwing away, the time for tearing and the time for mending, the time for silence and the time for talk. 


He sets the time for love and the time for hate, the time for war and the time for peace.”

‭‭

And you know what these verses do for me? 


  • They bring to light that I am not the orchestrator of it all. What a relief!


  • Although each special moment with my family or work is valuable, it is not the BIG picture—- just like each difficult moment with my family or work is taxing, it is not the BIG picture. Again, what a relief!


The truth is: the difficulties and joys of every era can and should bring us closer to the Creator of our days.  Wherever you find yourself today, I pray the hope of a loving God holds you, and His presence ushers you into whatever is next.


The challenge in every new day, and eventual era, is to accept it ALL with the help of God.  To faithfully invite Him into it, and with all you have, avoid the distractions that lead us into the holding too closely to the things of this world.


Bring on the big girl bed. ☺️


 


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