“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” -2 Corinthians 4:6-10 (NLT)
“Enjoy them while they’re little, they grow up so fast…”
“Enjoy every minute of it.”
“They will be big before you know it….”
We have all heard it. We all feel the aching pain of our children growing up, away, too fast, too soon.
But we are also tired. Raising children is hard work.
We have dreams outside the walls of our homes. There is life beyond the smiles, the tears, the booboos, the books, the games, the meals, the tantrums, the lessons, and the battles of will that fill our days raising our children.
Two weeks ago, an entire hot fudge malt spilled in the front seat of our rental car.
Last Thursday, Boy 1 and Boy 3 got in a testosterone-infused cage match fight in the middle of a Target aisle.
I didn’t enjoy those moments.
Today, my children are three hours north, going to the pool, the museum, the park, the mall, and who-knows-where-else with their grandparents.
I am enjoying the break.
Without their constant presence, eternal neediness, and the bustle of life, I am remembering that I am still a person. That is an important thing to remember.
I am more than a parent, more than a role I serve. We all are.
We are more than sisters and brothers, more than sons and daughters, more than friends and roommates, more than spouses, workers, communicators, thinkers, and readers.
We are bearers of light. Burning within our breasts is the Light of the World, Love embodied, the Spirit of God, and we bear the image of God for the world to see.
Daily toil and labor can cloud my memory of who I really am. Today, in the quiet of my kitchen, I remember.
I am a vessel for His glory, and I bear His greatness within myself.
If I want my children to learn that about themselves, then I must do more than enjoy our days together. I will need to remember who I am and live it for them to see, every day.
Lord, lift us above our circumstances, and let Your light shine from our lives. Give us this day, our daily bread, fill us with Your greatness, and may Your Kingdom come in our lives, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
