No One Ever Told Me

As I was visiting my son, who is now a lawyer, I was a bit wistful.
As I watched him walk with his father, talking about the things of men, I paused.
Where did the little boy go?
Where is the boy who wore baseball hats and football jerseys?

Where is the boy who read the sports page every morning?
The boy who lined his baseball helmets up according to which teams were playing.
The boy who played football on the lawn and pretended that he was both teams.
Running back and forth; one team going one way, one team going the other.

No one ever told me.
No one ever mentioned that there would always be “lasts.”
Why was there no spotlight on the moment, so I wouldn’t miss it?
Why was there no megaphone telling me to give it my full attention?

I had no idea.

I mentioned it to my husband as we walked along.
I reminded him of how he used to get the comics out of the Sunday paper.
He would put them in a special place for our youngest daughter.
She would lie on her stomach, propped up on her elbows to read them.

Then one Sunday, the comics stayed in the special place.
They stayed there the next Sunday as well.
Then they remained in the newspaper.
Her interests were changing and rightfully so.

No one ever told me.

I reminded him of her doll, the one she carried everywhere.
The doll that needed a bed.
The bed her father made for her.
The bed that was right next to her bed.

Then one day, the doll’s bed moved to the end of her bed.
Not too long after that, the doll’s bed moved to the closet.
Soon the doll took up residence in the closet as well.
Her bed was just big enough for her, and a few memories.

No one ever told me.

I remarked how our youngest son got a job before he graduated from college.
A youth pastor who also does outreach ministry for a church.
He came home after graduation to get some of his things.
He left and is staying with the family of a college friend who lives near the church.

He just signed a year lease on a house that he will share with three other young men.
My son, once a boy himself, is now training young people to know and love the Lord.
He has moved on; he has gone forth, he is responding to God’s call.
As it should be.

No one ever told me.

How could the girl who played with her dollhouse now teach second grade?
How could the girl who acted in school plays now be in front of a class of children?
It is not acting; it is the real thing, but her training helps her to be engaging.
Her ability to perform in front of an audience has helped her teach in front of a classroom.

No one ever told me.

How could my oldest daughter, the one who is so athletic, design websites so creatively?
The artwork and writing she did as a young girl has helped her to design now.
The sweet girl who took on another personality all together when she was on the field.
A strong competitor; not getting her athletic prowess from me, the professional spectator.

No one ever told me.

I didn’t miss the moments, I said to my husband nostalgically.
But I wish I knew that those moments were the last.
Maybe that’s the way it should be, my husband remarked.
Maybe that makes every moment special, since you never know.

I looked at this man of few words and realized that he said it all.
Every moment is special.
Every moment is to be lived and savored.
Every moment deserves its own spotlight and megaphone announcement.

Here it is.
Pay attention.
Remember every detail.
Don’t’ forget.

An impossible task.
As mothers, we are so busy living life, we fail to notice all the things we should.
Until later.
Then God brings them to mind.

God always brings them to mind.
Just when we need it most.
Just when it is crucial for us to remember.
Not to grieve over, but to rejoice in.

We are in good company.
The mother of Jesus, a young girl, obedient to God, must have been overwhelmed.
Imagine the announcement of the birth of Jesus.
Unlike, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist who needed proof, Mary just believed.

Zechariah’s question was, How can I be sure of this?
Mary’s question was simply, How will this be, since I am a virgin?

Gabriel’s announcement, and Elizabeth’s baby leaping in her womb was enough.
Then shepherds, who heard angels proclaim the birth, came to find the Child.

When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:17-19)

Treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
That is what a mother is to do.
Spotlight moments.
Megaphone moments.

Ordinary moments, no one ever tells you about.
Except God says so in His Word.
God says to treasure them.
God says to ponder them in your heart.