Sunday, October 31, 2010

Savoring the Moment

savor - v. "to give oneself to the enjoyment of..."

Last week was not a banner week... In the greater scheme of things, nothing too serious was happening, but some times life just piles on and it feels overwhelming...  Like the current invasion of a mouse, or maybe mice, in our kitchen and laundry room ... 

So on Friday, I had a few minutes and I thought some Marshall's therapy might help (not very spiritual I know)...

Since March, I have lost 25 pounds and I've been working out regularly, so every once in a while, it's fun to go and see how clothes look on my newly emerging figure...

I tried on a few things, but just wasn't in the mood to buy, so I decided to wander around for a few minutes...  As I was wandering, a woman walked passed me with a stroller and even though I couldn't see the child, he was just chattering away to himself with those sweet baby noises...

We passed going in opposite directions, but then ended up on the same aisle...  And her sweet child just contentedly kept making his little noises...  I almost didn't say anything, after all, even the south isn't always the friendliest place to strike up conversation with a stranger...  But after arguing with myself for a minute, I walked up to her and said, "Those are the sweetest noises I've heard in a long time."

She looked puzzled for a minute and then she said, "Oh my goodness, I had completely tuned them out."  We talked for a minute, I told her that my oldest was 17 now and that the years flew by and I encouraged her to savor these moments...  As she walked off, she looked back at me and said, "Thank you."

Such a simple little thing that made a difference in a person's day...  It took me completely by surprise.  It's sad to me how we get so busy with our lives, so focused on our task that we don't take the time to speak into people's lives, I am so guilty of that...  But it also made me wonder, how much of my own children's lives have I just tuned out?

I've been reading Mary Beth Chapman's new book, Choosing To See, and it's wonderful!  It has made me realize that I need to be so careful to savor life instead of just gulping it down and barely experiencing it, especially where my husband and children are concerned.

Funny, but one of the greatest blessings that has come out of my new jewelry business is that I sit still, for hours sometime, in one place.  I have had some of the most wonderful conversations with our kids, Mackenzie especially..  And I'm so thankful that God found a way to slow me down for a season and relish the grown people that our children are becoming...  They're pretty amazing and I don't want to miss another second of their journey to adulthood...

Is there someone you need to savor a moment with today?

4 comments:

Suzanne said...

What a great reminder to just savor those times. I've started sewing to earn extra money for our adoption and I play praise and worship music as I sew in the evenings, and it has been the best, I now look forward to getting home from work and finishing up my evening chores and getting to my sewing machine!

We're having our very first give away and it will benefit not only our adoption but another family also adopting from Ethiopia. Hop on over and check it out when you get a moment onelessbrokenheart.blogspot.com.

We would love it if you could help us spread the word and give us a shout out on your blog.

Blessings,
Suzanne

Shonni said...

Wonderful reminder today for me. Thank you...I do need to pause and see!!!

sierrasmom said...

Ahhh its been the best gift for me with having grown sons and now Sierra. I KNOW how fast the time goes and I AM trying to savor every moment. I have been so blessed with a 2 year leave from work to just enjoy the moments. Of course the house is a mess..so I have to fit in a little cleaning time. I am thinking maybe at night after she goes to sleep!!
Hugs
Kathie

trina said...

This is exactly where I am. Wondering where did the years go...but trying to slow down and enjoy the moment. :) trina