“Can you come tuck me in?” I hear her small voice coming from an almost woman’s body and my heart skips a beat. My fourteen year old daughter is asking me to come tuck her in.
I realize that I have missed this routine over the past couple nights. Deadlines for me, late night youth groups for her, and three little brothers that need my attention at bedtime make this precious time one that often gets lost.
As I walk into her bedroom with the.biggest.smile.on.my.face, I hear a whisper that tells me to remember this time. To make it sacred. To make more often.
1. Remember this time
Mamas, this does not mean huge scrap books that hold every piece of artwork and report card accumulated over the past 18 years. If that is your passion and it brings you joy, then go for it, but do not think that is the only way to preserve memories. To remember this time means to bring it into your heart and head. To soak in that moment. Stop and take in a deep breath. Burn it into your mind. It could be from a quick photo or it may be from a quick note in a journal. When my children were younger, I would write down the cute things they said in a journal. Looking back, I can remember the joy and beauty of their childhood.
2. Make it sacred
I don’t mean that to have to remove your shoes each time you enter your house because it is a Holy space, but I do mean look upon your home as a place where God will do Holy work. Every time you are with your daughter, use it as an opportunity to welcome the Holy.
Because God can work Holy into the mundane of our homes.
Every conversation has the opportunity to be a learning time. Every hug has the opportunity to be a healing balm. Every word of love has the chance to be a way to bring God’s amazing grace deep into our hearts.
3. Make it more often
This is the time to be with your daughter. It gets hard to find time.
Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.
You get weary. Soon, activities will fill schedules and a spontaneous trip to the park is not even possible. Put this time into your calendar. Make dates with your daughter. Stay up a little bit later and ask your daughter to share one hard part of her day. Sit down on her bed and really listen.
You will find that you will remember more of this beautiful thing called motherhood! And each sacred beautiful moment of motherhood is very much worth remembering!
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