Apr. 22, 2008 - Sitting by the Shore
My husband, childen and I have had the blessing of exploring a 'deserted beach' recently. Not actually 'deserted' but when you when run into only 1 or 2 other people during your visit you can see why that name fits!
When the tide is out you can walk out towards the ocean for atleast 1/2 a mile to explore the ocean bottom. In some spots the tiny tide pools left may be 1 inch deep...... we found 3 sand dollars, clams, horshoe crabs, crabs, and many many shells of a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
The children took off their shoes and were content to explore as much of the area as they could in the time we had. Precious thoughts ran through my head as I watched them skip joyfully along the beach shore with such excitment and heard their squeals of delight as they found a new 'treasure.' Within a few minutes both shell buckets were practically full.......
Being less than 7 weeks from my due date ..... my legs weren't wanting to carry me as far or fast as theirs were moving. So I was delighted to find a huge span of area covered with dry small shells to explore. A nice dry spot to sit my rear-end and rest my tired legs and feet! I sat there for over 20 minutes or so just examining all the tiny pieces and basking in the wonder of God's Handiwork. Beautiful!
Sadly, I often don't take the time to just sit and 'be.' To just bask in the moment and fully enjoy that moment for what it is. I turned my head up often to see my husband way up ahead searching for beach treasures.....each of my 5 children following somewhere behind him on the expanse of the beach. Quietness, Contentedness, and Savoring the Moment.
Time flies by so quickly. I don't think we ever truly realize how easily time escapes us. It is, indeed, 'fleeting.' When those moments hit us and we fully realize, if only for a split second, how quickly life passes us by........expectations, hopes, dreams, ideals, and priorities in life change. The shift turns our hearts towards the things that really matter. People, relationships, and memories to be made.
My oldest child is only 12 but I see in her face the gradual changes into adulthood. That childhood is quickly passing ..... fading ..... and I so want her to hold on to her youth and childhood for as long as possible. To watch her bask in her innocence and enjoy the freedoms and gift of childhood before they are snatched from her. I want to protect her, shelter her, and keep that 'freedom' for her. Seems to me that this ideal should be one of our goals as parents. To protect childhood for as long as possilble.
When Jesus said that we 'must become as little children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven' I think He was emphasizing the importance of childhood and child-like qualities. So why the rush to grow up? I don't think that children naturally want to 'grow up' fast. I do think that the world and society at large encourage our children to want to grow up and be able to do all the things they are missing right now.
But isn't that similar to how Satan tricked Eve? By making her think that she was missing something. He made her believe that just enjoying the pleasure of Paradise and basking in God's Creation was not enough. That there must be something more. Something she was missing out on. Satan somehow made her think that the grass was greener on the other side. That disobedience and 'growing up' in her knowledge of good and evil could somehow be better than she already had it.
Looking at that truth from Scripture now it is easy to see how stupid, foolish, and deadly her decision was. But we would have done the same thing ...... if we'd been in her shoes. From time to time we all think 'there must be something better' than where God has us at the moment.
We often think we are missing out on something. This may come when we compare our life to someone else or when we watch what the media or movie portray as 'successful and happy' lives. Satan gets the upperhand and deceives us and we fall prey to the same tactic as Eve did ..... almost daily ... if we are not careful and on the alert to his schemes.
Satan and the world system has sucessfully convinced children of this 'missing out' deception (thus forcing them to grow up too quickly) and the world does a good job of convincing adults the same. And what is the result? NO CONTENTMENT. No contentment leads to no joy and no pleasure and we lose the gift of the moment that God has right in front of us. Such a shame. Such a pity.
We miss the beauty of the minute by focusing on the next hour... or day ..... or week. We miss the joy of the task at hand by looking ahead at our 'to do' list. If you watch children closely and listen to them ..... really listen ...... they tend not to do this. Atleast not until they are a little older -- maybe nearing the teen years. They seem to have this idea that each moment is just as critical as the next. No need to rush or hurry. Just time to focus and enjoy and just 'to be.'
I'm beginning to believe that is why Satan so targets our childhood. We are supposed to be like 'little children' as members of the Kingdom of God! Satan has worked so strategically to kill whatever concept we have of 'childhood' that we've lost so much in the onslaught. We've even bought into the idea that pushing children to grow up is a good thing. Think about it ...... we do it in our child-rearing. "Don't cry. Don't pout. Don't mess up. Don't get dirty. Don't be so loud. Don't play so rough. Don't act silly. Don't do that. Don't do this. No. No. No."
Can you imagine what our words must sound like to little people who are still so excited about life and living and exploring and learning and basking in God's Creation and all His Goodness? They must think that we live the most boring lives imagineable. (And aren't they right, especially if we compare our mind-sets to theirs.)
Can we really be like children again?
Do we really desire to be?
Do we even know how to embrace that type of freedom and mindset?
As much as I love being a mother.....as much as I love my five children (soon to be 6).....as much as I long to be closer to them and more like them in their quiet trust, obedience, and joy ....... I have so much to learn from them.
My children are truly my teachers and I am just going along for the ride. Sometimes my ideas, preplanned agenda, and goals get in their way and I'm sure they regret that. But my heart longs to 'do right' in the eyes of the Lord for my children. One way I believe I can do that is by truly listening to them and allowing them to be who they are. Who God created them to be. Not to force them to 'grow up' and 'be responsible' when they have a childhood God has blessed them with right now.
Dear Lord, You never fail to remind me to enjoy the moment. I so often fail at this. May I learn from You and by observing the qualities of my children. May I respect the traits You have so wisely put within them.
Please bless my intentions and help me to learn from that which You uncover through them and their characteristics. Develop within me the traits that please You that are childlike and precious to Your Heart. Open my eyes to see my children and others the way You do. Forgive my heart for wanting something different than that which I have right now.
May this moment and each and every moment be a reason for Praise and Thanksgiving to You. May I be totally present in each moment of each day and see the Gift of each moment You allow me to live here on this earth. Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with Kevin and the children. I love you, Lord Jesus. ....Belinda..... Your Child
Comments
Apr. 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by loripearce
I really enjoyed reading this post. I find myself at this crossroads a lot espically with having a 10,4,3, almost 2 year old and another due in June. We can truly learn from them if we just stop and enjoy the moment.
Thanks for sharing
Apr. 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mumumomma
How right you are, enjoying the moment as a child does, is so refreshing.
The first part of your blog had me mentally at the beach! That was a perfect description! We are orginally from the east coast of Fl. and love the beach. Although my dd's are a bit older, they still enjoy those little child like times at the beach, I do too for that matter!
Thanks for the"relaxing" post. I have a beach sign that says, "whether I'm here or there, I can hear the waves and smell the air". You can't take the beach out of the girl! ;)
Apr. 22, 2008 - great post
Posted by LivingandLoving
you are gifted with words and expression. your love for Jesus is so evident. what a lovely post along the area of contentment. the ocean is one of my most favorite places in all God's creation. God bless.
Apr. 30, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by BrandiA
You didn't warn me that this one would have been tearing up! Great job of describing the scene. I was right there with you on the beach, longing for the days when my own kids were a little younger. Although even last year at ages 12 &15, the were still happy to go shell hunting, "snorkling" on the shoreline and chasing me with hermit crabs! Your message here is so very true. I long for my kids just to be happy, relax and enjoy life---not worry and fret and feel defeated by school, parents, peer pressure etc. I just pray that they will be bold in their faith and dare to be different. Love ya! Brandi
