Missed Opportunities

Missed Opportunities

My daughter Savannah

 

I read something on the internet that I thought would be a feel good message, but instead it almost brought me to tears.  It began with the story of a mother taking her two children, one boy and one girl, to the park.  The kids ran and played while the mother sat on a bench.  My mind drifted back in time when I took my boys to the park so they could play.  I can still see them swinging, running, laughing and just being kids. The memories made my heart smile.

I snapped back to the present and continued with the story, expecting to read about these children having a wonderful time on their outing.  As it goes, the little girl called her mom to watch her twirl around, but the mom was too busy on her iphone.  She barely glanced at her daughter before returning to what she was doing.  Then the little boy called to his mom to watch him play, but again she hardly looked up from her phone. Both kids continued to have a good time but without their mother's attention.  I thought about the message this sent to those precious little ones.  It said what mom was doing was more important than they were. 

 

My heart began to feel heavy with thoughts of things I've missed with my little ones because something else was more important at that moment.  Just a few weeks ago my three year old daughter sat at the kitchen table.  "Mommy, mommy color with me."  She said as she held up a crayon for me to take.  "I can't right now sweetie.  Mommy is busy."  I said while continuing to sweep.  I'm ashamed to say by the time I finished sweeping, Savannah was no longer at the table coloring, but was instead laughing and playing with her puppy.  I gathered the papers together in a pile and put the crayons back in the box and went on to put clothes in the dryer.  I look back now and realize that was a missed opportunity on my part.  Was the sweeping more important than coloring with my little girl?  No it wasn't and I wish I could go back, take the crayon from her little hand, color with her and hang it on the refrigerator, but I can't.  It's my loss.

 

As I strive to have a closer walk with Jesus, I realize He is never too busy for me.  I've never had to "wait" for him to put down what He is doing.  He always makes me feel important.  This is what I must work on with my children.  I understand life is hectic at times and there are things that just can't wait, but many times it can be put on the back burner for a few moments to share that time with my children.  I will from now on work harder to treat my loved ones with the love, respect and attention they deserve and not just give them what is left.

 

Going now to make memories with my little ones.  Thanks for reading.

Angela :)