You’ll enjoy the lovely poem typed below, written by a dear friend of mine, Val Halloran. Val shares the message, and as an older mother I also reiterate it:
Slow down, dear mother. These days with your little ones go so fast. Make the most of every moment and every day with them. In a blink of your eye, they will be grown and left the nest. These are the most precious days of your life. I know they can be trying and overwhelming, but they are very precious years. Try to make time to record the special things they say and do. I thought I would remember, but as the years have gone by I have forgotten.
You only have their childhood to train them and it goes by so quickly. Don’t waste this great privilege from God by giving your God-given gifts to someone else to train. God has given them to YOU to train in His ways. Embrace every moment of your high calling from God.
Love from Nancy
THEY GROW TOO FAST
I think back to the day you came
To bless me long ago;
All I knew about you was your name
And that I loved you so.
A tiny bundle, soft and sweet,
God's special gift to me.
Uniquely made to be like Him,
To live eternally!
The days and months flew quickly by;
I was told the time would pass;
But with lots of babes and work to do,
I didn't know then how fast.
I wanted more than anything
To lead you in God's ways,
To teach you that to live for Him
Was the reason you were made.
Now that you're grown and on your own,
And time to train has passed,
Though you say you saw faith in me,
I still wish I could go back,
To cherish more those fleeting times,
To show you of His love.
Though I tried to point you all to Him,
I'll never feel I did enough.
But I'll say to you what was said to me,
That as you love and train your own,
Slow down, enjoy these precious ones,
In a blink, they'll all be grown.
@2013, Val Halloran