“Mom? I was just wondering…would you like to go out on a date sometime soon?”
[clickToTweet tweet=”Mom? I was just wondering…would you like to go out on a date sometime soon? @DrMBengtson #imperfectmom” quote=”Mom? I was just wondering…would you like to go out on a date sometime soon?”]
That was from my sweet young boy, who is growing up more and more every day. I can’t say my “little boy” anymore, as he already towers over me at the age of 12. But his heart is still young and tender, as is his desire to spend time with his family.
I’m embarrassed to tell you that I didn’t offer a resounding “Yes!” to his proposal. It wasn’t that my heart didn’t want to. But I caved to the lies I was listening to in my head.
“You don’t have enough time right now.”
“You have too much to do!”
“You’ll have more time soon.”
I couldn’t bear to tell him what I was thinking, but I was torn and racked with guilt.
“Lord, what should I do?” was my silent plea for wisdom.
[clickToTweet tweet=”“Lord, what should I do?” was my silent plea for wisdom. @DrMBengtson #imperfectmom” quote=”“Lord, what should I do?” was my silent plea for wisdom.”]
Even as I was forming the words in my mind, He brought a verse to mind: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
[clickToTweet tweet=”Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. @DrMBengtson #imperfectmom” quote=”Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. “]
Within moments pictures started flashing in my mind:
-the moment he was born and I held him in my arms
-my son at two yelling at the geese at the lake “Go way geese!”
-walking him into school his first day of kindergarten years before, which felt like only weeks before
-just a few months prior he was delighted on his birthday to finally be taller than me
-his older brother entering high school
-his older brother now driving
-his older brother now spending more time with friends, at home less as he starts to spread his wings
In those moments, the Lord showed me both where my priorities need to be, and the privilege it is that my not-so-little boy still wants to spend time with me. I will never look back on my life and wish I had worked more! But more importantly, I never want to look back and wish I had spent more time with my children. The time to do so is now.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
My current season? A time to prioritize my children while they are still children, and train them up to be Godly young men.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Our relationship to God and our perspective on Him is so very often determined by our relationship with our earthly parents. More than anything, I want to communicate to my children that I love them, I accept them, and I want to spend time with them.
The “to-do list” will have to wait, for I am convinced that there is enough time in every day to do exactly what God wants us to do that day whether it be going on a “date” with our children, helping a neighbor, volunteering at church, or resting in Him. That’s a lesson I want to model for my children.
[clickToTweet tweet=”There is enough time every day to do exactly what God wants us to do. @DrMBengtson #imperfectmom” quote=”There is enough time in every day to do exactly what God wants us to do.”]
Hope Prevails,
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
About the Author: Author, speaker and board certified clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Michelle Bengtson is also a wife, mother and friend. She knows pain and despair firsthand and combines her professional expertise and personal experience with her faith to address issues surrounding medical and mental disorders, both for those who suffer and for those who care for them. She offers sound practical tools, affirms worth, and encourages faith. Dr. Michelle Bengtson offers hope as a key to unlock joy and relief—even in the middle of the storm. She blogs regularly on her own site: http://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com.
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This was a great read. I can relate so much. It is a privilege when they still want to do something with us.