It's true. Many seasoned parents over the years have told me that you squeeze your youngest child a little tighter from time to time as the realization hits that your parenting days of small children is coming to a close. My youngest will turn 9 very soon and I am conscious that I probably tell her "no" too many times because I am trying to squash the fact that she truly is old enough to do what she is asking to do. Putting the book on top of her head simply isn't working!
The great thing about my budding 9 year old is that she still loves to snuggle. We call it "cozy time". No matter what "big girl" things she has accomplished for that day she still wants to crawl up in my lap at night and just rest her head on my shoulder. Some nights she even takes me by the hand to my room, closes the door and buries us under the covers. It was on one such night that we were lying in silence when I asked if she wanted to play HIGH POINT, LOW POINT. This has always been a kid favorite where we share our best and worst moments of the day. Sometimes they really try and stretch the game out with a "midpoint". We quickly got our low points out of the way so we could end the day on a positive note. Her pink glasses rested on the bedside table while her little head was on my chest. I was enjoying the scent of her freshly washed hair. I can't remember what my high point was for the day, but I will never forget my daughter's answer as long as I live. "OK Sarah, it's your turn for the high point". As her hand stroked my cheek she took a deep breath and replied, "Right now".
I was astounded. I quickly reviewed the day in my mind and thought of all the times during the past 12 hours that I had fussed at her about doing chores, finishing schoolwork and cleaning her room; however at the end of the day I was her HIGH POINT simply because I chose to spend a few quiet moments with her!! I didn't think much more about it until a few days later when I was out walking. It was late at night and my subdivision was very still. I was walking and praying about a variety of things when I suddenly felt like Jesus was wanting me to be quiet. As I walked it was as if my brain had gotten connected to a heavenly USB port and the download had begun! Ideas began popping and answers started flowing about different things in my life. I always love it when Jesus shows His love for me by tending to even the smallest details.
The "download" ended and as I finished my walk I quickly remembered my game with Sarah just a few nights before. I knew that I had just experienced my high point for the day on the peaceful stroll. I started to feel guilty for all of the days that I had missed these types of high points because of my lack of initiative in seeking Him out during my day. My Pastor always says that if you don't PREPARE for your day then you will spend a lot of time in REPAIR at the end of the day. I believe that Jesus wants to speak His Purpose and Plan into our lives on a daily basis, but we have to make the effort to separate ourselves from all else so we can hear His Words. I also believe that if I were able to ask Jesus during our quiet time about His high point for the day, He would answer, "Right now".
