When small things are BIG things
Image by Andrea Pokrzywinski
Image by (I wish I'd been able to take my own picture, but my camera was among the messes described below!)
This afternoon I sat on a chair, acting as a barrier between my 18 month old and the floor. She stood next to me eating blueberries happily.
I looked at the table (covered in papers), the kitchen (with it's counters covered and sink full), the clock (which beckoned me to start dinner), and felt frustrated for a moment.
Why can't I get anything done?
I thought about this blog waiting to be updated.
I thought about dinner.
I thought about the messes.
Then looking at my girl munching blueberries, I remembered this time passes too quickly. Before long she will be able to sit without falling off a chair! And not long after, she will grow up and leave home. It goes that fast!
Sometimes the little things are the big things. Life is made up of everyday moments. Moments that flit by if we are not paying attention.
I have to keep reminding myself of these things because I'm not smart enough to remember them and I'm distracted enough to think that checking everything off my list means success. But it doesn't always mean success. You and I both know that's true.
True success is loving and nurturing the ones God has given me.
Sometimes we just need to sit and watch the little one eat blueberries (and make sure she doesn't fall on the floor!).
Because Children Won't Wait.
I'm joining the girls at Bigger Picture Blogs today, “capturing a glimpse of the bigger picture through a simple moment” (as stated by my friend, Hyacynth on her blog). The link up is at Alita Jewel's Treasures if you'd like to participate or read some other bigger picture moments.
“I have to keep reminding myself of these things because I’m not smart enough to remember them and I’m distracted enough to think that checking everything off my list means success.”
YES! I could have written that, it’s so true! I remind myself over and over again!
Great moment! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Melissa. I’m knew I wasn’t the only one!
Stacy, this moment — this watching them eat blueberries — is EXACTLY where I’ve been sitting lately.
And even though I just echoed some of Melissa’s sentiments at a different moment {apparently, she and I are sharing a wavelength tonight}, I have to say that this: “I have to keep reminding myself of these things because I’m not smart enough to remember them and I’m distracted enough to think that checking everything off my list means success.” is so true for me. And I get SO frustrated that I just cannot remember it long term, and I just cannot stop being distracted long enough to make sense of my own real successes sometimes.
Really, really loved this.
Also, I cannot wait to meet you!
I think we should take comfort in the fact that most of us have this same struggle. Just think abut the Israelites and how they saw the Red ea part – yet, before long they were doubting God and making a golden calf! It must be human nature to forget 🙂
Keep pressing on my friend.
I can’t wait to meet you! Its going to be fun 🙂
A great reminder…thanks for sharing. I recently read “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin and I like her quote regarding the busyness of having young ones…”The days are long but the years are short”. Reminds me that this will all go by so fast and to try and enjoy all the little moments.
Krissa, I love that quote! Thanks for sharing it.
I have to remind myself of this each and every day (often several times in a day). The urge to cage the children so life can be less chaotic can be overwhelming, but it’s always dissipated by the reminder that these little people are fleeting gifts.
Amen to that! Fleeting gifts…so true. We’ve got to enjoy them while we have the chance.
#1: I wish I had enjoyed DS more when he was 18 mos. 🙁 (He’s 4-1/2 now – I’m doing better now.)
#2: the photo made me think how I can’t WAIT until my potted blueberry plants have fruit this fall. 🙂