Family matters, and time for precious moments is fleeting
Was that the last time?
With four kids and 14 years of parenting I’ve snuggled our kids to sleep countless times. Bedtime, nap, asthma, bad dream, etc. To fall asleep in someone’s arms requires absolute trust. As a dad, this has been one of the most beautiful blessings I’ve experienced.
Sunday I had the (now) rare opportunity to snuggle our youngest to sleep for an afternoon nap. As I sneakily elongated my breathing to calm him to sleep (not my first nap-eo), I couldn’t help wonder if this would be the last time. With his siblings long past this stage and him turning 8 soon. Will this be my last of lasts?
I sat there snuggling a good 15 minutes after he had drifted to sleep. I was tired enough to drift off with him, but I had things I had to do. But not yet. First I needed to soak this in a little more.
Some years ago my sister-in-law gifted us a very moving children’s book by Karen Kingsbury called “Let Me Hold You Longer.” In it, a mother imagines her child moving rapidly from one stage of life to another, asking God to help her recognize and hold on to the “lasts.” My wife doesn’t make it two pages before the precipitation falls. I’ve never had the courage to read it to the kids myself.
Time is a thief; take time to snuggle
Ephesians 5:15-16 says: “Be very careful, then, how you live − not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (NIV). I can’t think of a more pressing application of this truth than in the arena of parenting. Time is a thief. Make the most of every opportunity.
Tragically, we so often misapply the principle. We’re tempted to cram in as much as possible. We’re afraid our kids might miss out on an “opportunity.” Yet, there are myriads more opportunities than what we have the opportunity to take.
All the while, we deprive our kids and our families of more important opportunities: time at home, time in the Word, time in prayer, time in a local church, time to serve, time to be bored, time to make your own fun, time to rest, time to love. Even time to take a snuggle nap.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:26: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (ESV). He said this to illustrate the eternal folly of rejecting Him as Lord. Becoming a disciple of Jesus means denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following Him.
In the same way, families would be wise to consider the opportunities they pursue. Are we chasing after idols or pursuing Jesus? Are we anxious with the fear of missing out or are we at peace, investing in the profound simplicity of home and family?
I hope it wasn’t my last. But if it was, I know have other opportunities to steward. “Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.”
Luke Kelley is the pastor at Christ Community EFC.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Cherish the simple time with family before the moment passes
