Treasuring the Season

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get caught up in a season of life? A friend of mine recently said, "It's much easier to be thankful for a good day during a bad season than to be thankful for a good season on a bad day." And how true that really is! My husband and I often find ourselves struggling to genuinely enjoy this crazy season of life we're in. It's hard when he comes home from work to a frazzled, pregnant wife who is so exhausted after a long day dealing with two toddlers. Rather than a warm, "I love you, babe...how was your day?" He gets, "Hey there! Isaac's drying off because I just had to give him a shower because he peed all over himself and the bathroom floor. The floor is still covered in pee because I couldn't bend over to clean it. And he's running a fever. I haven't had a chance to walk the dog, so you'll want to be sure to do that soon. Dinner's in the microwave, but will probably need to be re-heated. They are both in super grumpy moods...so you may be able to get them to bed early. I'm late for my meeting. Gotta run. Love you...and good luck tonight!"

Days aren't always that hectic and crazy. But they do happen from time to time. And the frazzled, pregnant wife is definitely a pretty common occurrence these days. I only have 8-10 more weeks to go of that...but then I'll be the mother of three kiddos under the age of four...one of those being a VERY needy newborn baby. :) It's always going to be something, though. And it's so easy to wish these days away. The days of wiping snotty noses and poopy butts...the days of bedtime struggles and naptime woes...the days of time-outs and spankings...of seemingly constant correction.

But every now and then, I catch a glimpse of what one day could be...and likely will be. Days filled with teenage angst. Days and nights of worrying about who they are hanging out with and what they are doing behind our backs. Those dreaded days of having them grow more and more independent...of having to let them go and figure things out on their own. Seasons when we will mourn over their choices, because they will hold such heavier consequences. Seasons of sorrow as they lose their innocence right before our very eyes.

And when I begin to imagine what life will be like with teenage children...all of the unforeseen struggles that come with that season of life...I find myself pleading with time to slow down. This season really isn't so bad, is it? They love me...I am pretty much their world...their life...right now. They actually enjoy spending time with me. And they want my attention all day long. They want me to tickle them and readily give me all the hugs and kisses I desire. We laugh...A LOT. We play. We cuddle up and read books together. I teach them new things every day. They teach me new things every day.

Sure. This season is damn hard. I end most of my days with little left to give...crumpled in complete exhaustion. But I am never going to get these times back...these little years. In no time at all, I'll be wishing I had them back. I'll be wondering where the time went...and how my babies got to be so grown up. So I'm going to stop soaking in pity on the really bad days...and just be thankful for the blessed season that we are in! Because while this season may be a challenging one, it is one to be treasured for sure. :)