This weekend we celebrated 7 years with our son. It was very fun as the boys had Jedi training with Ty and another dad leading the way (and enjoying it as much as the boys)! There was cookie cake with lots of lego star wars decorations and silly string and water balloons and hot dogs with chips. It was all boy and all fun and we couldn't be more thrilled with having our wonderful 7 year old. In fact, I don't miss the baby days at all. I just was reminded acutely at how time passes and things gone by are just that, gone by. Never again will J and I play outside on a blanket for hours, just the 2 of us: me, teaching him new words and movements and awestruck as his world continued to open up before him. I can't go back to that time where another family watched J 1-2 days a week just like our friend has for her son. They loved our son as much as my friend's boy is loved by us and our neighbors who watch him. I thought back to pictures of J as a toddler on the front porch with our friends' kids all smiling. They loved him! Today J and E loved our charge for the day.
As time keeps going it's so easy to stop and get stuck in the remembering. It's always better than we remember "back when..." but it's rarely ever accurate. However, I don't mind remembering. Jesus even taught us to remember. As we look back and remember may we also look forward. When I remember the wonderful parts of having a young son, my firstborn, it makes me joyfully anticipate the memories to come with new phases and things we'll both learn. When I remember what Jesus did for us I also joyfully anticipate the work which he accomplished in overcoming sin on the cross to lead to that life eternal with him someday in the future. It's not that I'm overly simplifying a story to talk about Jesus. This is how my life has been lately. I've been basking in the moments of life, remembering the many good things God has done both in our lives and in history, and looking forward to many more things to come. It's been a busy season and my heart is full of wonder and awe at the life God has blessed me with.
As we draw near to Easter I hope you can remember what Jesus, God's rescue plan for all of creation, did and the extent of what that means for those who believe He is who He says. And don't forget to look around at the day-to-day and enjoy the many blessings big and small today!