Pictures On a Wall
This morning after I laid Galilee down for her nap (my precious 14 month old grand-daughter) I thought I would fold a load of clothes. By the way…these clothes have been in the dryer, crying out to be removed from their dungeon, for almost a week! Anyway…back to the story! My laundry room is also my mud room and has a very long wall with no window on it. On that long wall, I placed a plethora of pictures spanning mine and Rick’s 33 years of marriage. Pictures of us at our wedding, pictures of each child as a baby, school pictures, family pictures, casual pictures, funny pictures, serious pictures and many many more. I stood there…folding and looking at each one. My mind going back to when each one was taken and the memory it held. They are all so dear to me. The pictures and the memories.
As I stood there reflecting on each one…I had a thought that actually gave me a sense of freedom. You see, every time I have looked at these pictures up til this moment…I have longed to be able to go back. Do it all over again…return to that time so I can do things differently…make better choices…spend more time on the things that really matter. And by thinking those thoughts I have set myself up over and over again for more and more grief and sadness. Because the fact is…I can’t go back. None of us can go back. We can only go forward…really we can only do TODAY.
So standing there looking once again at these pictures I finally found freedom in THIS…My time for raising a family is accomplished. The time that Rick and I had when our 4 children were under our wings and protection is past. We had wonderful moments and by the grace of God (thank you Lord for Your Grace!), they ALL know Him and are serving Him from a grateful heart! BUT…now the freeing part...ALL MY CHILDREN ARE IN FAMILIES OF THEIR OWN!
Psalm 68:6 came to my mind as I stood there looking at past memories..He sets the lonely in families. Families…what a WONDERFUL concept…what a wonderful plan from a loving Father!
Now is their time! Now is the season of my children’s lives when they get to do what Rick and I did! They are making those memories that will one day be hanging on a wall. They are getting to do what Rick and I considered THE most important thing of all outside our relationship with the Lord…making sure our children knew what it means to be loved. Loved by a mama and daddy and loved by the One Who knew them before they even came to be. May it continue to always be true for generations to come in the Starr lineage…family.
Sending much love,
Debbie
