Treasure Hunting

A few months ago, I was running errands with my children, and I was in a hurry (as usual). I had to make a quick stop into the post office. My two oldest were racing ahead of me and my youngest was taking his sweet time about five hundred feet behind me. I kept urging him to "hurry up". He completely ignored me as he sang some silly song and carefully walked over every single crack in the sidewalk. I became rather frustrated when he bent down to look at an ant. At that point, I quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him along side of me. He didn't complain. He just started looking at the shapes in the clouds. An older gentleman noticed my frustration and said, "Don't you rush him. He is enjoying the world and you better let him do it!" As a mother, I immediately became defensive and thought (as I smiled begrudgingly to this man), "Don't tell me what to do with my children. I'm in a hurry. You're retired. You have all day to get your stuff done. I don't have time for this!!"

I will never forget that wise, wise man. He was so right.

On our trip to the beach last week, I practiced what this man taught me. We all slowed down to enjoy our God and all that he has created for us. My youngest son showed us "calapitters" , baby lizards and turquoise jellyfish. We saw the moon every day, even when the sun was up. We got excited over school buses. We went on "adventures" in the pool. And we found treasures along the beach. What a blessing. And how funny that God would use an old man and a little boy to teach me such an important lesson in my life. It is one I've always known was important, but I never really practiced it. What blessings have I missed because I was in a hurry? What treasures does God have for me to find when I choose to stop and look for them?

Even though I can no longer enjoy the lazy days of vacation, I can still make it a point to enjoy my God and all the blessings He wants to give me - everyday. I just have to slow down even when the world is spinning so, so fast. Today, I'm choosing to go on an adventure and find God's treasures!!

Something to think about (and maybe share with the rest of us)...
What treasures has God shown you through your children??