Savor Life

Please forgive me as I get really indulgent here and maybe even a little bit sentimental. You see, today happens to be my son's birthday, and it's a bit of a milestone. My 'baby' - the youngest of four and the only boy, turns twenty today. This fact kind of hit me as I pondered the implications. I am no longer the mother of teenagers. When I say I have four adult children, I really mean it. It's a bit sobering.

I can't help but think back to that day, twenty year ago, when Zachary made his way into the world. I was surprised when he was born, not just because we chose not to have an ultrasound so we didn't know his gender beforehand, but because he looked exactly as I had pictured him. I had had a very vivid dream a few weeks before in which I saw a very clear picture of what he looked like. The dream made such an impact that I shared it with my husband, and needless to say I was amazed that he actually looked exactly as I had seen him in my dream. I won't go onto a rabbit trail about dreams here, but I do believe that God can still use dreams for His purposes if he so wishes.

In any case, this imagery brings to mind all the sweet sensory stimuli that a brand new baby brings. The softness of skin and eiderdown hair as you rub it against your cheek; the distinctive scent of newness inhaled that fills your senses like no perfume ever could...  These are moments to savor. To just enjoy the silence of soft breathing as you cradle this new life in your arms. No agenda. No timetable. Just existing together and basking in the wonder of life, love and contentment.

I suppose this is how God sees us at times. He just wants to be with us with no particular agenda. Sometimes we get so busy in life that we don't stop to savor these moments - with God or with other people. Often it's these simple, seemingly insignificant moments that hold the most precious memories.

Take some time today to savor...