No one told me

Each season of my motherhood years have in many ways come as a surprise! Some women spend years dreaming about children and already know what to expect before they even arrive. They see ornery toddlers in Wal-mart and determine right then that "their" child will never behave like that! Being a momma so early in life spared me such prideful thoughts! My child was the one in Wal-mart causing all the fuss before I ever knew how I would react.

The seasons have brought great joy and hard work. I learned early on that survival would only come as I abide in Him! Hard lessons were taught on the days I missed this simple truth (and still do). As quickly as I found a way to navigate through that season, a new one would emerge. With the arrival of each new baby, I found better ways to tend to the many duties and privileges of that season. Yet, all the while, a brand new season was knocking on my door as our "olders" ventured ahead forging days to come. Seasons of tantrum toddlers became skinned knees from first bike rides, and before we knew it, we had these "big people" living in our home!

I thought I had heard it all...reminders about parenting and how quickly time would fly by! I knew that someday they would leave the home and have a family of their own. And I've heard that grandchildren are even better than children. But no one told me how wonderful, (dare I say it), "teenagers" are! Sure they require a lot of mental energy and I admit that they can keep me on my toes but I can honestly say that I am enjoying every minute of it.

Although I have the same heart and words for my "older" sons, this post is about my oldest daughter in the home. No one told me how much I would enjoy laughing together at the silly questions from the littles, baking side by side, cleaning frantically together to make the home special for the arrival of guests. Or being able to honestly tell her appropriately my struggles in life as she's old enough now to journey through life with me.

Having an older daughter in the home has opened parts of my heart that I never knew existed, a deep joy in not only sharing life with your child but watching her walk with the Lord, fall down and encourage her to get up and try again. What a joy to be her #1 fan, coaching and encouraging her as she finishes her final season in our home. And just think, I have 4 more girls behind her, waiting and watching, pondering what life will be like when they too enter this final season.

Maybe someone did tell me about the joys and challenges that were just around the corner as a momma. Maybe there are just some things you can't explain, only your heart can hear. All I know is that I am thankful to discover the joys of parenting in all seasons for both the girls and the boys. As I look at the little ones racing for tomorrow, I no longer fear the days to come but rather eagerly await the joyous days just around the corner, days I know all too well are but a vapor! I now know that the days to come...weddings, grandchildren and the ordinary days in the middle are days that my heart longs with hope to hear.

Maybe someone has told me about Heaven. Maybe my heart cannot fully comprehend the glorious days to come where together we will be in the presence of our Lord! I only know that my heart bursts with hope to know those glorious days that He has spent my lifetime and MANY lifetimes of those before me preparing a place, a Heavenly place for you and me!