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Deadlines and Details
February 2, 2007
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"I love to think about God."
A simple statement by a simple child. Children keep things simple (Matthew
11:25). Life has yet to confound or confuse them with deadlines and
details. Oh, but to be a child again. No hurries, no worries. Inquisitive
and curious about everything from earth worms to wrinkled hands. The
"whys" and "how come" questions seem unending. A weary mother wonders if
they ever will. Sure enough, they do. And when they do, she wonders where
the time went.
She looks down one day and sees the wrinkled hands her children wondered
about. The earth worms that stirred awe in them then, bore them now.
Vacation bible school is a misty memory. Swing sets and park slides
suddenly slip into nostalgia. Right before her eyes, just a blink, and
little lives change. Paychecks, peer pressure, and drug driven parties are
now their problems and priorities. The children that knew not a worry in
the world are at this instant in the middle of it. She prays the world
doesn't get the best of her oldest or give its worst to her youngest. Oh,
but to have the questions asked again.
Hindsight allows her to see that her weary, worried, and hurried ways simply
weren't worth it. It was optional. It was a choice. And she sees that
because it was, they must have been watching. Perhaps it was the harsh tone
or the infrequent hugs following so many frustrating days at work. Why?
How come? She is pained by the questions. Their questions are hers.
What they must have felt, she feels. Her empty nest isn't a syndrome some
self-help book can better. Alone she sits, loathing self-centeredness.
Every ill-spoken word and the words that should have been beg for answers.
It has finally hit home and her heart is breaking because they no longer
are.
The phone rings and she lets it go unanswered. Moments later it rings
again and cautiously she decides to answer. Her prayer is answered. The
world hasn't won. Her son's voice has gotten deeper and his first love has
too.
"Mom?" he utters with questioning inflection.
She stills her spirit to prepare to answer.
"I still love to think about God."
A simple statement by still your child.
Listen to your children. Why? How come? Very simply. Weary, worried,
and hurried ways simply aren't worth it. By the way, a lot of sage is in
the tender mercies of mouths of mere babes.
--- Copyright © 2006 Brian Jett
Be sure to visit Brian's Spiritual and Inspirational website:
www.hangtough.com
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