Joy can be lost or stolen in a moment!

Joy can be lost or stolen in a moment. What do I mean by that? How many opportunities have you had today to be in the moment and experience joy, but instead, you chose to control the situation, be productive with business or simply check out and miss the moment to experience joy? I think I am guilty of missing out on the sweetest natural moments to experience joy because I am busy doing or being or worrying or controlling or envying or wanting or complaining.  Why does every moment of every day have to add up to great strides of productivity and accomplishment? Who said that a moment not dedicated to a specific task is a wasted moment.

There are so many baby pictures that I look back at and think how sweet they were and then when I really think back, I remember the struggles, the arguments, and the battle to get anything done. I wish I could do it all over again. I think I would want to stop time and see those sweet little faces and hear their sweet little voices and get nose to nose with them and experience the wonder of their worlds. If I took time to feel things in the moment, I would rush past it to keep my mind in productivity mode so I would not lose myself in whimsy. How sad. Maybe it was a defense mechanism to keep me going to support my family, maybe it was exhaustion, either way – if I could do it all over again, I would.

My kids are teenagers now. Emily is looking at colleges and Jake is thinking about high school sports coming up in the fall. I look at them every day and do not want t to miss another moment. I want to savor every smile and every tear. I want to support every first, and help them to see what is going on in the world in light of a God who loves them and has good plans for them. I tell them that “I choose them,” every moment I can before they roll their eyes or think “mom’s lame.” Sometimes, I catch them in the right moment when I get a sweet smile. I want them to know that I waited my whole life to get to see their faces and hold their hands.

I reminisce about the moments past now. Maybe it’s a sign that I am getting older and that I want to slow down and savor our time while we still have it.  I look back and think of how I wish I would have done something differently, but honestly, I cannot change the past, but I can refocus on the now and hope to change the future.

Joy happens in a moment, and it can be missed very easily. Joy is not happiness or temporary emotions that come quickly and pass quickly. Joy is a satisfaction of a moment spent well. It comes from deep inside and shines when it is least expected. Joy is often overlooked for a quick “atta boy” or moment spent chasing tangible achievements. Oh, those are important too, but they do not measure up on the sweet life moments that will fuel your minds as you slow down and long for more. I do not think I am alone in wishing I had different priorities during seasons in my life. The achievements that were accomplished were important too. They allowed us to live in a manner that allowed us to experience a better education, better house, or extra-curricular activities.

I do not want to have regrets while sitting at a funeral or missing a friend who needs a shoulder to cry on. I want to be in the moment every day. I want to smile at a cashier that is tired and doing the best they can. I want to cry at stupid commercials and giggle with my husband late at night. I want to snuggle with him in the stands at the baseball tournament and scream like crazy as Jake rounds the bases. I want to giggle with Emily, tell her I am so proud to be her mom, even if she rolls her eyes.

I can remember that my mom used to say, “how did you get so smart?”  I always laughed. I see my kids and marvel at their abilities to thrive in this world. They know so much more than I did at their age. I marvel at the people they are and are excited to see the people they will become.

God, my heart is full of joy. I love my life and know that you put each moment together with your best in mind. I ask to see more moments as they are happening and savor them in the moment so the memory of them will be satisfying too. I praise you, Father. You always have a plan for your children and want what is best for us. I pray for wisdom to experience life’s moments in full. I thank you that you did not answer all my prayers the way I wanted but you did what was best. I trust you with every moment of my future.

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