Lessons Learned in the Checkout Line

I had to go to the grocery store this morning..along with most of the rest of everyone else who lives in our town. The place was packed. The lines were long and the wait to checkout..well it was long too. There I was sandwiched between two sweet, elderly people who apparently had known each other for a long time, maybe since their children were small, but who hadn't seen each other for quite a while. I eased dropped on their conversation, though it was unintentional,because I was in the middle of them. They exchanged how are you's and updates about their children. One had just become a great grandma again and had finally had a girl. The other shared news about his grandchildren and some health struggles his wife was having. Both talked with sparkling eyes about the holidays and how their children would be home. Talking of their children being home caused both of their faces to light up which made me think..this time of business, ball games, laundry, rice on the floor (and in every nook and cranny), toys in the living room...is only temporary. All too soon, my girls will be gone..grown. As I thought about this, I was reminded that each precious moment that I have to pick up after them, care for them, hug them, serve them as their momma is a blessed gift and one that I should not wish away or take for granted. My turn at wearing the shoes of those elderly who stood on either side of me in the grocery line isn't far off. Time is ticking away and today I am thankful just to have it. I am enjoying it. Enjoying throwing the rice on the floor with my babe to watch it bounce and hear her giggle. I am even going to try to remember enjoying quizzing Emily for the hundredth time this week over the same science material that she has more than memorized because doing well is so important to her. My girls are growing up faster than I care to think about and today..today I am going to enjoy them. Love them. Lead them in the Lord and simply be grateful to Him who gave them to me in the first place.