The Time is Now
On Wednesday Mother and I went to see the doctor who took care of her while she was in rehab after her stroke. She was pleased with Mother’s progress. However, she surprised us both when she said that Mother should come back in six weeks and that she should continue to stay with me until then. Mother and I thought she was closer to being able to go back home. I was sad for her, but not sad for me. This extended visit has been a joy.
When I was younger, I probably would have felt stressed about this, but not now. Not stressing over something like this is one of the joys of having lived awhile. Going with the flow, recognizing blessings–they’re easier now. This is a season. I know that I will always cherish these days.
Mother is sweetly going with the flow, too. She wants to go home, but she has told me that she, too, does not think she is ready. Meanwhile, she is happy with us, works hard on her therapy, and keeps a good attitude. I’m so proud of her, and I’m watching and learning from her example, too.
The first three months after a stroke are the most important, so the professionals tell us. If Mother rushed back home too soon, she might never recover as fully as she could have. What a shame it would be if either of us wanted what we want right now without regard to the future. Some things in life can wait; others cannot. The time to rock a baby is today. The time to read a bedtime story is tonight. The time to visit your grandmother, hug your daddy, smile at the grocery clerk, visit a sick friend, kiss your husband is . . . well, you know that better than I do. Just be sure you don’t miss the window.
There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every event under heaven —
A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
This is one of God’s great lessons I’m so glad I learned early in my parenting years: to everything there is a season. I always smile when I read in my Bible, “And it came to pass.” Yes, things in life come along which may or may not exactly suit our fancy at the time. But “this too shall pass,” as they say, and all too soon we’ll be on to the next blessing or challenge. Embrace the moment. Live in today. For today came only to pass. And tomorrow is never guaranteed.
I wish I had learned this earlier! When you’re younger, you’re always on to the next thing, the next thing, then the next thing. I am so trying to enjoy HERE and NOW because it went too fast!! I have been just trying to ingrain that in my head and heart. Thanks for your words of wisdom.