Friday, July 17, 2009

Making Time to Catch the Fireflies...

Sometimes I get so caught up in trying to find the perfect time to do things, that I miss the small windows of opportunity that God so graciously blesses me with. When I'm still, I can hear God whispering to me to look at the moments, not the hours or days. Take each moment I'm given and fill it with memories that will live on.


Lily really wanted to go swimming yesterday, and she had been asking me all day but we didn't get a chance. So at 8:00 last night after Brad got home, she asked again. I said no. But I saw the look on Brad's face and he, after hesitating, said he'd take her. Even though it was bedtime, it was beautiful and warm, and it was a moment he had to embrace. So he did. And they had a blast.


Afterwards, it was already going on to 9:00pm. Walking up from my parents' I noticed all the twinkling lights of the fireflies in the fields. I was reminded of the times my sisters and I caught fireflies in mason jars. I felt the moment knocking on my door. "Oh, it's getting so late. The kids need to get to bed. I have things I need to get done." Then there was the other voice. "Take advantage of this moment, Amber. You're always wishing for these moments, so take it while I've given it to you. Love, God."



And I gave in to the beckoning call of God to embrace my children's childhood and to make memories with them that they would always remember.

I'm so glad I did.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

beautiful post! i hear ya...i need to take advantage of those moments a little more often as well! ALWAYS worth it!

Amanda said...

Agreed, beautiful post Amber!
It is these type of times and these kind of memories your children will remember.

The field Lily is standing in...is that near your house? Oh, how I would love to have that near by!

*PS* I responded back to you in the comments of my last post.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Amanda

Tolentreasures said...

Always a good reminder to take the time live in the moment. How fun that looks!

I had to call Shawnee as soon as I read that post. People tell us that all the time. Funny how genetics work, she was not the one that looked like me growing up.

Cathy

Anonymous said...

Good times indeed~

Sarah said...

What a beautiful post! Sometimes life gets so busy that it is important to step back and enjoy the simple things. Good for you for creating such wonderful memories. :)

Jenafer said...

Catching fireflies is the best!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I can so relate to this! Wishing for moments and then not taking advantage of them when they happen because it's late or I'm tired or I have other things to do! What a sweet memory for your kids. You'll never regret this night of staying up late!

Dawn said...

it is so hard to listen when it is not what we had planned on hearing. this night of moments... is beautiful. perhaps especilly that moment of hearing what He had to say.
(and oh how i wish we had fireflies down here in florida!)

jenn said...

It is soo hard sometimes to break away from the routine of life--but, isn't it worth it when we do?

Kelli said...

Cherishing those memories that will last a life time. Beautifully written.

Anonymous said...

catching fireflies is an investment with an eternity of returns!

Karin @ 6ByHisDesign said...

i hear ya on this one! thanks for stopping by my blog today --- i think we have a common ailment. i took my oldest on a walk recently and caught fireflies, too. did you know they don't actually eat anything? i know b/c he wanted to keep them forever, and i found via the internet that saying we had nothing to feed them was really not a solid argument. so glad you enjoyed this evening together - hope you notice the time to make even more of these impromptu memories!

blessings,
karin