Keep Me in the Moment

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

“Lord, keep me in the moment.  Help me live with my eyes wide open. `Cause I don't wanna miss what you have for me.  ~ Jeremy Camp 
 
I found myself crying in Mcdonald's last week. It was supposed be just like any other coffee run. I had my code in hand. I was ready to get my points and about to get on the road for a fun weekend getaway with my husband. 

As I approached the counter, everything changed, however. You see the "customers" right in front of me couldn't help but get my undivided attention.   
 
There they were, the most adorable brother and sister duo, proudly placing their order for "2 waters." Their beautiful mom was beaming, watching them closely, and protectively from the side. They had their meal but wanted to order something on their own. 
 
Instantly I was swept back in time and there Tyler, age 7, and Shannon, age 5, stood in front of me. They even resembled them. It was uncanny. A wave of nostalgia and sadness engulfed me. 
 
The tears unexpectedly flowed behind my dark sunglasses.  I had a moment that my mom often described as an "I miss my little people" moment. Have you ever experienced this? I am sure I am not alone.
 
My kids are adults now. They are 28 and 26. Despite my mistakes along the way, they are two of the best humans out there. I am so blessed to have them in my life. 
 
Even so, there are just those moments that come up from time to time that get me right in the heart. I miss their little voices, their chubby, little hands in mine and their bedtime giggles and cuddles. Can you relate? 

When Ty and Shannon were a baby and toddler, I wrote a poem which was entitled “Someday.” It was my first publication, and I was so proud.

In this raw and honest poem, I talked of all the things that annoyed me at this stage like wishing I could: get a solid night’s sleep, shower without an audience, and watch Oprah instead of Barney.

I realized too however, that there was so much I would also miss about that stage as well though like: infectious baby giggles, seeing the world through a child’s eyes and bedtime prayers for Goliath and the Teletubbies.

I never wanted to wish this stage away, as hard as it might have been at the time. Everyone tells you to appreciate it all and since I became a mom, I know it is so true. Kids grow up way too fast! I felt like I blinked, and now my kids are adults.

Photo by Cup of Couple

There can be many tough times and circumstances that come into our lives at so many stages. Life can be just plain hard sometimes. We struggle.  We wish that our circumstances would change overnight. We don't know how much more we can take at times.

During the tough times I have prayed that God would step in and change my circumstances time and time again, but that is not guaranteed. I have felt like I was in the waiting room and wondering like Rapunzel from the movie Tangled, when will my life begin? 

Many of us struggle to "stay in the moment" because we don’t like where we are right now. Many of us are facing big struggles, challenges and heartaches. We become overwhelmed and so weary of it all.

If we have an attitude of what can be learned from our current circumstances whatever they may be, we can usually see that there have been some positives that have come from these times.

​When you stay in the moment with your heart open, you can see them.

You Got This

Photo by Prateek Katyal

I have been teaching for 20  years. Retirement is fast approaching. It is so easy to look ahead and wish the time away. It is a challenging career and has changed so much recently. The needs of kids are so much more complex these days and the job of a teacher is truly not what it used to be. 

Rather than fantasize about leaving the profession on my worst days, I am working on reframing my thoughts to focus on the here and now.

Who can I encourage right now?

What good can I do each day? There is still work for me to do to impact this school community. The door will close on this chapter of my life soon enough, but not just yet.

I want to enjoy it and make a difference where I am, while I still can. I encourage you to do the same when possible, with whatever stage of life you are in.

Everything is for a season

There is a season for everything in your life. Some seasons are amazing. Woo-hoo! You are overflowing with joy and fulfillment. This may be you. Some seasons are stressful, very difficult and we wonder how we can even get out of bed. This may be you. 

Please know that these times of hardship will not last and with God, his mercies are new every morning. He will give you the strength you need to make it through even your darkest of days. 

Whether something is an ordeal or adventure is up to you. We can so easily wish times away, but I encourage you to ask God to keep you in the moment.

It is in some of our hardest times, that God reveals himself the most. It may be hard to believe as well, but the very things you dread today, surprisingly may be what you end up missing the most later on. Life is funny that way. 

Stay strong my friend. You got this and I am standing with you.

Until next time,

Dana

Psalms 118:24: This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. 
 
Little Lesson Learned: Those with open hearts see things that others miss. 

Author

Dana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, social worker, blogger, author, and speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books.

My "little people."

Tags: patience, endurance, parenting, strength in trials, life lessons

Copyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana, 2nd edition, 2021 first edition ​