I had a baby New Year’s Eve. Every day this year, I have held that little boy, breathing him in slowly. I have studied his features intently, taking in everything from the hairs on his head to his ten tiny toes.
With my first baby, people told me it would go fast, but I didn’t really understand how fast.
I didn’t savor the moments like I should have.
With my second baby, she didn’t sleep much, I was her paci and the months were a blur.
Again, I didn’t savor the moments like I should have.
But with him, my third and my last, I know what I’m in for.
This time, I’m savoring.
I let him sleep on me, not ready to rush to bed after he has fallen asleep. Every day I get home from work and hug him, wanting to remember his size, his smell, his smile — everything — right now.
He has reminded me of the importance of savoring in other areas of my life too. Having a newborn forces you to re-prioritize, think and slow down, and I am striving to do these things.
We can all learn a lesson here. Don’t read these words and think, I know slowing down is important. I have heard this. Blah. Blah. Blah. This is a truth we need again and again.
Sister, we move too fast. And we are missing out.
My baby #3 has taught me to say yes to my children more. I listen intently when when they tell me knock, knock jokes that make no sense — and laugh anyway. I say yes to one more game of Uno because someday they won’t want to play with Mom on the couch.
My baby #3 has reminded me that nothing replaces time together — with family, with friends, with strangers. I have had more lunches, started a book club, and planned parties.
My baby #3 has reminded me that life’s seasons are just that — seasons that are here and then gone. In the blink of an eye we can miss it all.
I think we all could use a baby #3 reminder now and again. As the days get longer and with summer vacation upon us, we have a choice. We can savor and take the season in, or we can rush so fast that we miss the beauty.
Summer is our baby #3. The chance to NOT MISS ANYTHING. TO SAVOR.
I’m going into this season with arms and heart open wide, ready for the beauty.
Ready for friends and cookouts. Ready for fireworks. Ready for water balloons and sprinklers. Ready for fresh produce. Ready for the glory of long, sunshiny days.
May we do our best to be present and experience it fully.
Today let’s share one thing we are savoring in our life, right now. Together we will enrich one another’s lives and magnify the glory of God.
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Jessica,
I am really going to try to savor summer this year. Beyond that, I want to savor friendships. One of my very best friends, for 18 years, is going to be moving away in a few months. We both moved to this area at the same time when our children were little. Last month I attended her oldest daughter’s wedding and I couldn’t believe where the time went to?? My word for last year was “intentional”, but I think it is a word that fits every year! Thank you for a great reminder to live intentionally and savor every moment God gives me.
Blessings,
Bev
How hard to have your friend moving away! Thinking about you today and your commitment to be intentional.
I have two grandsons and this weekend I spent some time with the oldest one. I can savor my time with them so much more when we have that one on one time. We split a sub for dinner, I made cinnamon buns for breakfast (his favorite), we went to see a friend at a horse show, we talked about God on our drive. I’m so glad I had this moment to SAVOR
I could go for some cinnamon buns! 🙂
Hi Jessica,
As an older mom & grandmother (!) I am sad that you work full-time outside of the home. I know you and Matthew have your reasons and this is not a sin in your lives. I am only addressing how many moments you are missing with your children no matter how much love and attention you give them when you are at home. Quantity time with your children does matter, and probably more so as they get older. As parents we can’t always choose the time to listen when children are ready to share, but being there nurturing them throughout the day allows you to be there when they are ready to share on their terms, not yours. Those that spend the most time with your children influence them the most, and it is these people to whom they will go as they get older; I am speaking of the older child, teenager, and young adult. Try your hardest to be there for them when they get off from school, especially in the upper elementary, junior high, and high school years. You will NEVER regret the investment you make into your children; you aren’t given a do over. I say these things in love and from experience only, not from the authority of scripture. Children are the greatest responsibility and heritage we have.
Lovingly,
Ruth
Hi Ruth, I’m sorry you are sad that I work outside the home. My work is something that I feel God has called me to do and I am thankful to steward the giftings He has bestowed upon me. It is also is necessary for me to work from a financial standpoint. My husband’s work is very flexible and he is with the children right after school. We are also very intentional and have lots of quality time in the mornings, evenings and weekends.
Please tell me where this is in the Bible. You are to be “a keeper at home”. And where do your giftings come first over your children needing a mother? I can just see Mary dropping Jesus off somewhere so she could pursue her giftings. Doesn’t anyone believe God knows best anymore?
Really? The Proverbs 31 woman was a hard worker and helped to provide income for the family. Can’t we build each other up as women, as mothers, and trust the Holy Spirit’s leading in them? Is the guilt tripping necessary? Jessica did not post this to be judged for her decision to work.
I am a stay at home mom and I do not think being a working mother is unbiblical. I can’t believe this conversation is even happening on this website where we are supposed to be encouraging and loving one another. This is supposed to be a safe place.
Jessica, I don’t know you but I know you are a beautiful, hardworking mama. Your babies are so blessed to have a mom who loves them so much and takes time to savor them. Thank you for your post.
But the Bible says we are to exhort one another also. It says the older women are to teach the younger women but the younger women won’t listen to us to learn the hard lessons & make the really hard choices, so the same mistakes are not made over & over. Yes we are to encourage each other, but do we really help each other if we are telling each other what we all want to hear? And why is it no one trembles at His Word anymore which He exalts ABOVE Himself. Honey, it is all about Jesus. It’s not about us having our cake & eating it to.
Congratulations on the birth of your third baby. And a boy? I love boys. God gifted me with two. As my oldest prepares to enter junior high in the fall, I’m savoring time with him while he’s still more boy than teen this summer. I know that will change come the end of August. And my other boy has me savoring times with him as well. He’s still a cuddler at almost 11. I’ll take it. I know these times are slipping away fast.
I’m also planning to savor the slower pace of summer. And I’m purposing to keep it as slow as we can. 🙂
My oldest is nearly 7 and loves to cuddle. I definitely don’t take it for granted! It is so sweet. I hope it lasts til 11 like your sweet boy. 🙂
This was such a great devotional for this morning! I usually don’t comment much on these but felt the need to today. This summer I am savoring this summer and all the memories and adventures that come along with it. I learned this lesson real early in my life but feel the importance right now. I am interning at my church at home and it is probably me being the only intern. I also graduate college in about 7 months when 3 years ago I graduated high school. I have a best friend who is going to the air force in August and another who is being stationed in the Marines in August as well. All of these things it shows just how fast life comes but this summer I am cherishing those moments I have with each person and situation
What an exciting season in your life. Enjoy it all. I still look back on high school and college with much fondness, and some of the friends I made then are still dear to me.
Congratulations on the sweet addition to your family, Jessica. On these warm summer nights, I am savoring the bicycle rides with my hubby and to rediscovering a childhood delight together!
I want to get a bike for my birthday! What a fun thing to enjoy with your husband.
I am commencing a long day today as well. Praying that you can find the joy in it. 🙂
Congratulations Jessica,
Thank-you for the sweet reminder.
(The gift of time is one to cherish.)
With 2 in college and the other 2 teenagers, I am constantly reminded how fast time flies, Jessica. This is indeed a needed reminder.
Right now I’m savoring sharing the spring newness with the 2 children still at home and celebrating that my second born is home every weekend this summer. I’m anticipating my oldest’s return soon for 1 entire glorious week!
I’m so with you on this. Our 4 year old has developed a terrible habit after bedtime every single night where she gets out of her bedroom and comes up with some question to ask to stall on the couch for 5 more minutes. I know I should crack down but I just know deep down that in 10 years, I’m going to miss her little escapades. We have a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and I’m due in July– needless to say, there are exhausting days where I have to fight to “enjoy this,” however it is a practice worth participating in; these days, just like every day of our lives no matter the season, really are precious.
Love this! It’s so true. My little guy was born after a miscarriage and I think knowing how fragile life is makes me savor it just a little bit extra. Loving my little one is such a treasure, but time still lies so quickly.
“Together we will enrich one another’s lives and magnify the glory of God.” This is beautiful!
This summer, I am savoring my family…grabbing moments here and there when I can, no matter if it isn’t convenient. Our youngest child is heading to college in August (sniff) and even tho this isn’t our first rodeo, it’s still sad. So, like you are savoring baby #3, I am savoring baby #4. He’s 19 and I know what’s ahead. Not for him, but for me. I know I will cry my eyes out on the day we move him into his dorm and drive away. I know how my heart will hurt when I don’t hear from him regularly. I know that I will have to step back even more, in my role as his mom. I know how much time I will spend on my knees. I know how quickly the next 4 years will fly. I know how sad I will be when he leaves, how proud of him I will be when he finishes. But right now? I’m savoring every moment.
I felt the SAME way with my third kid!! Now that I’m expecting my fourth (and my FIRST GIRL!) I am sooooo excited to savor each breath in awestruck wonder! I got my first delivery of a friend’s hand-me-downs (hey, she’s still a FOURTH kid!) and I carefully examined and swooned over EACH one. I am so blessed and it is truly is in slowing down that we experience so much joy!
Jessica,
Life gets to busy and we rush, rush, rush, around doing this and that. The one day we wake up and wonder where the time went. We need to savor each and every day and enjoy the time with family and friends. To soon they will be gone and we won’t have them around anymore.
Today I’m going to savor walks I the sunshine at work, & time with my husband.
Congratulations. 🙂
Savor. Indeed. Amen. Me too.
Thank you.
Thanks for the timely encouragement!