Being IN the Here and Now

There is something that has consumed much of my internal pondering. I should explain that. I think there's a place in all of us that doesn't 'get out' much. What I mean is, we have 'safe zones', the places we share and get prayer for, we have 'safe requests' too - the things that we can handle admitting that we need help or prayer in. You know, it's manageable to ask for prayer with health, or to pray for patience, but if you've been in church a while, there's a part of you that will struggle to open doors to the 'inside' - where the REAL issues get pondered, and processed - most often alone.

Well, I'm burdened by the silence of a teenage son. There's a part of me that doesn't want anyone to know that, because I don't want to look too vulnerable as a parent. I mean the first reaction is to diagnose, to find what went wrong, and you get to a point where too many failures on your record are more than you can handle wearing...at least in your minds' own self conscious eye. But, it's true. I do have to say though, that nothing has actually happened yet, or gone wrong - officially --YET! But there is a relational absence that translates to concern in my brain - well, in my heart for sure. When the sunny 'hi mom' or 'I love you too...' hasn't been heard for a while. When you feel like your interrupting when you say good morning, and there's no interest in your little love offerings of food or (whatever)! When there hasn't been a hug - a real one, in AGES. These are pains that lead to a heavy hearted low. I can't help but worry, because he seems gone - at least from my husband and I.

I'm bringing this up here because there has been an anchor for me. And that anchor is this. First, God is more invested in my son than I am. THAT's good!! Also, I have some well grounded memories and evidence of a solid emotional foundation. That's what I want to say here. Savor these days with your young children at home. Milk them for all there worth!! They pass SO quickly. You know it, you hear it, but it needs to be said over and over because we have a tendency to always look forward OR backward and to not be present enough - right where you are right now. Moments of holding your child, or squatting down to have a conversation at their eye level. Giving them TIME to finish what they're saying, and even asking a follow-up questions to further exercise your patience...these are the things we will need for reference when the sun goes behind the clouds. We get fuel for these exercises in patience from one place ONLY. Patience, gentleness, kindness...these fruits come from the Father. A holy Father and his Holy Spirit!

I really just wanted to encourage you today, and remind myself - to give. To let giving stretch us beyond what we ever thought we could stretch to. To savor the richness of THIS season, before it's moved on.