The Moments Pass...

Today I was considering my life and some of the things I have done that I never imagined I would do and really, was never interested in doing. Some are more desirable than others:

· Completed a Master degree

· Worked for one of the Big Four Global Accounting Firms

· Earned my CPA License

· Had a blood clot

· Had a C-section

· Had a repeat C-section

· Had a Wound VAC

· Moved to a foreign country

It’s funny in a way because, although I never really planned on doing any of these things, they have shaped me and my life’s perspective in ways that I never would have imagined. In retrospect, now that the hard work relating to each of these events is past (except maybe the last one), they don’t really seem like that big of a deal. Now that I know the end result and that life really did pass and move on, and things “worked out,” I can look back and be grateful for what I learned on my journey. And I can recognize God’s hand in my life, leading me on.

As the final days of my move overseas came nearer and the craziness that had entered my life for several months was continuing and seemingly overwhelming at times, I was able to tell myself that I just had to get through the moment. I knew that it was only temporary. When we were stuck in the Seattle airport for 12 hours with two kids and 6 hours of traveling ahead, I didn’t focus on the misery, I tried to deal with each moment and remind myself that “this too shall pass.” When I got stuck in a heavy downpour here in England while walking to the grocery store holding an umbrella and trying to push a stroller, which was getting soaked (which meant my son was getting soaked), I just told myself, “All I need to do is make it to our flat.”

In both of these situations and so many others, there really wasn’t anything I could do. I really was stranded at the airport and there was no way we would be able to leave before the midnight flight. I was in the middle of a rainstorm several blocks from home. The rain wasn’t stopping and walking was my only option. In both cases, no one was going to magically fix the problem. My circumstances really weren’t going to change in that moment. But they also weren’t going to last forever.

Of course the same principle applies in pleasant situations. When my sweet baby is looking up at me and smiling, I recognize that this precious, innocent state won’t last forever. When my toddler snuggles in as he drinks a cup of milk in the morning, I recognize that these days won’t last forever.

Life is so transient, isn’t it? A difficult or demanding time that seemingly drags on forever is soon past. A wonderful visit with family is all too soon just a memory. I know it sounds trite, but in any time period that we encounter, I suppose we just need to remember and reflect on the brevity of it all. Enjoy the many small miracles that make up our days. Remember that difficult situations pass by and each minute that passes is bringing us closer its end. And remember that there will be good moments and not-so-good ones, but they all come together with God’s influence, to make us who we are becoming…