He came around the corner with a twinkle in his eye and a proud smile on his face. “Mom,” my kindergartner said. “I just put some of Dad’s deodorant on. My armpits are so refreshing.”
Laughing, I scooped him up and held him. I closed my eyes and the moment slowed to a pause. He laid his head on my shoulder and patted my back with a soft tap-tap-tap. I took a deep breath, bringing in the “Fresh Blast” scent, but also the sun and wind that lingered on his neck and the collar of his shirt.
I want these moments to last, and so I try to commit them to memory. The softness of the t-shirt over his bony back. The prickly softness of his short, dark hair. The “mmmm” he almost purrs as he soaks up my love.
But I know I will eventually forget. Over thirteen years I’ve done this with all my children, lingered so I can store away these precious moments. But the memories are not secure, and they slip away behind to-do lists.
Perhaps the Lord allows this so I will focus on the present moment, being always mindful of what my vocation is requiring of me right now, always loving them in this moment. And perhaps He allows it to help me overcome my fear of when my kids are grown and my house is empty. Or perhaps He allows it because He knows that “heaven and earth will pass away.” All of it will be gone some day, and only His words will remain (Mark 13:32).
The tribulation and the darkness that Jesus speaks of in today’s Gospel (Mark 13:24-25) sound terrifying, but I cling to His promise. His words will remain. And His words reassure me that He “will not abandon my soul to the netherworld” but He "will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in His presence” (Psalm 16:10-11).
What present situation do you try to cling to out of fear of the future? Tell Jesus about it, turn it over to Him, and commit to trust in His word.
LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS
A NEW WORKSHOP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
