Matchbox cars, stuffed animals and little toys of various sorts. So many toys where my children played pretend. Sometimes I miss those days. Though now many of their toys are tucked up in the attic, maybe for someday when they have children of their own. When they were little time seemed to last a little longer. Though every year as they get older, time seems to be sped up. Long gone are the days I could carry them in my arms. The days where they begged me for one more story. When they actually enjoyed it when I sang to them. I thought growing pains only happened occasionally to kids as they grew taller and taller. Though as a mom, I have growing pains. For as they grow, sometimes it can be a little painful. Or better said, bittersweet. I wouldn’t change it; I love watching them grow into who God has planned. Though there are those days where I still want to surprise them with all the things they used to love when they were so very small. Now the oldest sat aside his matchbox car, for the real thing. His stuffed animal that he used to have to sleep with sits packed away. My youngest has long given up the days of his little toy animal figurines. Play-Doh isn’t as cool as it used to be and there are times where I miss doing Legos with him. Though instead of longing for what is no longer, I can smile for what once was. Now I can send my oldest off to dances and laugh at his young man jokes. My youngest son is so smart and the conversations we have are so much deeper. They both stand tall and their faces are looking grown, and though I miss those baby faces, I also love seeing the ones that look at me now. Friend, I am sharing this with you, because times change. We can long for what once was, or we can embrace what is now. Whether it is our kids growing, or just simply new chapters in our lives. God blesses us with each passing day and we can choose to celebrate it right now or cling too tightly to what once was. It is best to hold tight to the good memories and embrace what is and is to come. May we praise God through all the seasons, all the stages, all the moments. May we thank Him for all that has led to this moment. I hear my oldest sing in this season out loud for all to hear. This is something new, and I love it. Watching him be brave and embrace this gift God has given him. I watch my youngest have a zeal for learning in this season, and I can see where God is beginning to call his heart. I may miss some things in the past, but I praise God for the season we are in.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Seasons through life

Ecclesiastes 7:10 NIV

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Lamentations 3:23-24 NIV

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”