a life lesson

Life changes pretty quickly. I have noticed the wrinkles. I have acknowledged the added difficulty in losing weight. My skin is always dry - all of a sudden. I am tired by 8:00 every night - me? the night owl? Yes, life has changed...

Well, on our way to run carpool one day the week before Spring Break, my life hit me square in my 36 year old face. Here I was, in my Mom-mobile, with my two youngest children on our way to pick up my oldest child plus two more. I consider myself a pretty fun mom - most days. We had the windows down (well, mine and S's - not the Bear's - he was likely to throw something out the window). Anyway, we had the windows down, were listening to some kid praise music, and were singing to the top of our lungs. Bear was even squealing and loving it! As we stopped at a stop sign, I watched a little Jeep with two high school girls drive by me. They were singing and laughing - not to kid praise music, mind you. They were wearing matching uniforms of some sort. They had ponytails and fresh lip gloss. They were too cute - AND SIXTEEN.

All of a sudden, I realized twenty years had passed in a blink of an eye. I thought back to when I was one of those girls...wasn't I sixteen yesterday? Wasn't I leaving cheerleading practice with my buddies in my Altima listening to Bon Jovi just last week? I felt so old all of a sudden...so flabbergasted that twenty years (TWENTY!!) had passed so quickly. In five seconds flat, I quickly considered all the changes. My arms are not toned anymore. My tummy is not flat. My nails are never done. My ponytails are not kept neat but are more a necessity in a world with diaper changes and laundry. I talk on the phone for information giving/gathering and play date planning...not for recreation. The size of my vehicle has doubled as well as my jean size. Life has definitely changed.

Then, that little ball of sunshine in my backseat yelled so loudly, "Give me a J (I gotcha J, I gotcha J)." She spelled out Jesus all the way through that chorus as happily as she could. Life to her is a gift ready to be opened, a party ready to happen. All I could do was smile (and drive). It took me a few more seconds to join back in on the "E, S, U, S" of our song. I looked back at that sweet little face smiling back at me. She sang all the way to school that day. I marveled at all that had changed for me in twenty years. That child back there was mine...my gift...my little girl!

I am blessed beyond measure. God has been so, so good. I wouldn't trade my life now for anything. My wrinkles are from years of smiling. My frizzy ponytails are my reward after a day of work and play. My flabby belly is a gift from my three children. I love my long mom car being filled with silly kiddos. When I am tired at night, I can be thankful for another day He has given me. I can kiss my precious husband good night and know I am right where I am supposed to be. My life has changed...yes, it has! But, my Lord has not. He is the same - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the giver of Life. I am so excited to see how He changes me over the next twenty years....

I pray for more moments where He will show me where He has brought me, remind me of my blessings, and point me to my future...hopefully better than I was before.