• Home
  • Blog
  • Our Story of Restoration
BrinaLynn

BrinaLynn

Finding Hope & Joy in the Everyday Trenches

  • Marriage
    • Marriage Tips & Advice
    • Marriage Restoration
  • Money
    • Saving Money
    • Budgeting
    • Meals & Meal Planning
  • Motherhood
    • Large Family Living
    • Parenting
    • Organization
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Thanksgiving
      • Halloween
  • Homeschool
  • Faith & Encouragement
You are here: Home / Large Family Living / Parenting / Time is Passing Quickly–Stop Wishing It Away

Time is Passing Quickly–Stop Wishing It Away

Parenting

45 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

This post may contain affiliate links to products. As an affiliate, I earn money from qualifying purchases. Please read my full disclosure here.

Looking at old pictures takes us to a place gone by, times we want to remember but often forget. As I watched a slideshow of old pictures, I remembered a time when my mom was healthy and beautiful and full of life. I saw her sisters and brother, my granny, my grandpa. All of them are gone now except for two. It hits me again that time is passing quickly, and if I’m not careful, I’ll let it pass me by.

While I know we shouldn’t grieve for saints gone on, I can’t help but long for those times of laughter and good food and fun times. Unfortunately, we can’t turn back the clock, but we can enjoy the now.

Time is passing quickly – Let’s Slow down and enjoy!

I was kissing the little girls goodnight a few nights ago, and it hit me. Hard. As I was hugging HR and telling her how much I love her, I realized how my mom must have felt, knowing she was dying. How as she brushed our hair or tried to braid it, tears must have stung as she realized her time was limited.  I’m sure she wondered how many more times she would get to do the simple things.

That night tucking the little girls in, I realized just how young my mom was, to have been diagnosed, lived with, and finally defeated by cancer all by 37 years. I understand now how young she felt, and what a hard reality it must have been. Rocking Jbear at night, though tired and ready to get him to bed, I realize how blessed I am. I’m blessed at 38 to hold and love on my baby, to be kissing my loves and tucking them in.

I stink at being a mom

I’m going to be honest with you: I really stink at being a mom most days. My kids drive me up the wall. They fuss, and they fight, cry and whine, wake up the baby. Many days, I want to lock their wild little selves outside (like I remember my mom doing to us). And I find myself wishing away the time: wishing God hadn’t called us to homeschool, wishing they were past this whiny stage, wishing Jbear would stop climbing and getting into stuff! But then I see how blessed I am in those tender moments when I tuck them in bed or one crawls in my lap. Watching the old pictures roll through on the slideshow,  reminds me that years past feel like yesterday.

I remind myself that time is passing quickly and to stop wishing it away, to live in the moment. How can I not slow down and enjoy the time I have?

Time is Passing Quickly--Stop Wishing It Away

A sad and sobering realization

One day very soon, HR and K-boo won’t need their hair brushed and braided. M2 won’t shout down the hall for someone to come wipe him. Jbear won’t need or want me to rock him at night. BB will understand phonics and math, and Nan and E won’t need me to referee them as they do the dishes, or constantly remind them to do their school work.  And sadly, it won’t be all that important to these little people that Mama tuck them in at night and give them a kiss and a squeeze or that Daddy sing “Bushel and a Peck” to their utter delight.

The problem

The biggest reason their antics irritate me is that they inconvenience me. When I read that idea for the first time, I really took offense. However, as I began to analyze myself and actions, I found it to be true. Not that I’m any better at it, but I know that’s the root of most of my annoyances in our daily grind. Today, for example, I knew I was writing this blog post, so I was fully aware of my annoyance with inconvenience. Still I struggled when the kids didn’t obey right away or came running through the house while Jbear was sleeping.

Let it not be so! I want to be here for them while God has us together, not wishing them or time away, not being annoyed or irritated because they inconvenience me. Instead, I want to love on them, and be patient and kind, welcoming their interruptions, understanding that time with them is fleeting.

Being aware doesn’t make it any easier, but it causes me take more of a pause. It’s hard for you, too, isn’t it? They get on your nerves, drive you up the wall, too, don’t they? I haven’t met a mom yet to had her act together all the time. Don’t be fooled. That mama in the grocery store with her poise and grace is sometimes just one more “Mama, can I have this?” away from snapping. Even the best mamas have rough days, are running on little sleep, and need a break, and most likely a latte!

Linger a little longer

Let’s agree to try to remember how fast time really does march on. Can we agree to linger just a little longer? Linger at the school table…at the breakfast table…in the rocking chair…at their bedsides…listening (really listening) to them.

Watching old pictures roll through on the slideshow reminds me that years past feel like yesterday. Time is passing quickly. Slow down and enjoy the time.

Let’s enjoy combing out the knotted hair and scrubbing the dirty feet. I challenge us all (Yep. Me, too, because I fail miserably!) to put our own agenda aside and linger and play and laugh and maybe even sing. Just for a few moments let’s be un-distracted, giving full attention to our little ones.

One day, it will be their turn to watch the slideshow reminiscing of times gone by. What will they remember?

May 4, 2017 · 7 Comments

Previous Post: « Stop Hiding Because of Your Insecurities
Next Post: 5 Important Lessons From the Messy Life »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avis Harris says

    May 4, 2017 at 9:58 am

    As someone who has lived through all the sleepless nights, “Mama, can I……” questions, guitar strumming, drums pounding, finger tapping, lips smacking, etc., I can say most definitely take the time to linger a litter longer. I would give a million dollars, if I could, to rewind time and spend more days holding, shaping, and enjoying my child.

    Oh, I enjoy him and his bride immensely now, but things are different…not bad, just different. My heart aches for “those days”. I am grateful for every…single…moment I had when he was under our roof and I am grateful for every…single…moment I have with him and Rebekah now.

    God is so good.

    Reply
    • Brina Lynn says

      May 4, 2017 at 9:19 pm

      Thank you for your wisdom, Avis! I understand what you are saying about different. I know time has to go on, but I wish it could be just a little slower.

      Reply
  2. shan says

    May 4, 2017 at 10:57 am

    I’m sobbing. What a beautiful post. God has started a wonderful work in you, and He is able to do a mighty work through us, in spite of of us, and sometimes, I think, because of our mess-ups. You are a wonderful Mom with so much to offer – keep sharing your heart and your lovely way with words. 😉

    Shan

    Reply
    • Brina Lynn says

      May 4, 2017 at 9:20 pm

      Wow, Shan! Thank you *again* for ever being an encouragement to me!

      Reply
  3. Rachel Arnold says

    May 5, 2017 at 10:23 am

    This was such a great reminder for me! Keep writing, friend!

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Fountain says

    May 10, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    I mean, wow. This is so encouraging. I feel like I am always that mama who’s one more “Mama, can I….?” away from snapping and just wishing for the next season. I’m shutting everything down and LISTENING to them during lunch. I’m going to take those moments to enjoy everything: the good, bad, even the ugly. Thank you for this encouragement!!!!!

    Reply
    • Brina Lynn says

      May 10, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      Good for you!! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hey, ya'll! I'm BrinaLynn, wife to my high school sweetheart, homeschooling mom to 8, coffee drinker, and friend of the written word.  My desire is it to encourage you [and me] as we find ourselves in life's trenches--and to somehow find joy there!

Read more

Looking for something?



  • Home
  • About
  • Contact

Footer

Helpful Links

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Looking for Something?

Bible Verse of the Day

But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Luke 18:27

Copyright © 2023 · anchored theme by Restored 316

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT