The Lounge Chair Days

Not long ago, I took my youngest daughter and my niece to the pool. I sat on my lounge chair while the girls swam, watching a sweet mama with her two young children, probably around 4 and 2, as they jumped in to her from the side of the pool. I commented on how cute their swim suits were and we chatted a little. After a few minutes, they began to whine. She looked at me with a half-smile and said, “I don’t want to wish this away, but I can’t wait to be where you are.” I told her I remembered those days and wishing that too…and that they would be here sooner than she realized.

If there’s anything I’ve learned, it is that every season of motherhood has its challenges, and none are easy. In different ways, they all hold ups and downs, fear and weariness, joy and tears, but what they all have in common is that each one offers new opportunities to trust the Lord.

As I thought more on that conversation, I looked back at my camera roll through the years. Some pictures made me laugh, some made me want to cry, and some made me roll my eyes. But they all showed evidence of God‘s faithfulness and goodness over and over again in my life and the lives of my kids, even through hard things.

I want to encourage you to do the same tonight. Take time to really look and remember your circumstances through each one. Thank God for all that he’s done, take a minute to notice all that he’s doing right now, and look forward expectantly for all that he’s going to do.

Don’t wish it away, no matter the season you are in. The Lord is teaching you and growing you and showing you that He can be trusted through every.single.moment.

When you are weary and burdened, go to him (Matt.11:28). When you are afraid, go to Him (Is.40:10). When your mind is racing with anxious thoughts, go to Him (Ps.46:10). And when you are feeling discontent with the season you are in, go to Him (Ps.16:10). He will meet you in those places.

He has given you your babies, specifically, on purpose, because you are the only Mama that was made for them. Appreciate every minute…and one day young mamas, your lounge chair days will come.