Slow Down and Listen to the Frogs

My inspiration for today’s blog came from a friend’s FB post. These were her words that captioned this precious photo so beautifully: “When I’m really trying to get a workout in (aka, not stopping every 2 minutes), I’m reminded to slow down when my daughter wants to listen to the frogs. I know one day she won’t ask to go with me, so for today, I’ll slow down and listen to frogs.” I thought, “This is the stuff that brings us to a place of gratitude and embracing the gift of this moment in this day!”

How’s that for a wake-up call? How’s that for conceding to cherishing the most precious moments that will never pass our way again? This sweet mama understands how important it is to slow down and “smell the roses” AND “listen to the frogs”.

Then, yesterday, I had my own “stopping to smell the roses” moments when my two Frisco grandchildren (ages 17 & 18) called me for a date night to see the new Dumbo movie with them. I was on a mission to getting off some important emails, making some necessary calls about an upcoming event and finish working on a script for a play I'm writing, but I was reminded to slow down to watch a flying elephant!

As I began typing this blog, my thoughts turned to how Mary, the Mother of our Lord, must have slowed down to prioritize her time with her boy! She was probably overcome with the responsibility of raising this boy. After all, he was no ordinary boy. He was the Son of God. No doubt, she poured time into him while being a devoted wife to her husband and his carpentry business, but I like to think that she savored the moments when her boy was a little guy, too! Remembering how He played in the water when she heard Him saying “I am the water that when you drink of it, you will never be thirsty again.” She watched Him playing with His friends and when one of His pals fell, I'm sure she noticed Him lovingly care for him. I'm sure she lived in the moments when she saw Him caring for and playing with animals. Can you imagine that she was thinking “He created them”?

That’s why, when my grandchildren take me by the hand and say “Nana, let’s go…….” that I rarely put them off. This Frisco grandson is presently writing a book and starting up a new business. He often comes to my home for serenity. I love that. He acknowledges my “peace zone”! He understands how inspiration and being present in the moments happen here. I love to imagine that he’ll remember that he received inspiration at Nana’s home one day – long after I’m gone.

I started out speaking about a young mom who is keeping her priorities in order. I’m desiring to keep mine in order too! Watching for God’s favors and signs along the way! Knowing when I recognize Him in my children, my grandchildren, and the frogs and flowers along the way, there will be plenty of time for making up the time on everything else!