Words to my Elijah.
Don’t go outside without shoes.
Don’t get wet.
Don’t go over there.
Don’t splash in the puddle.
Don’t run around right now.
All within minutes.
It started when he slipped out the backdoor, wearing his red plaid pajama pants, on a hazy sunset golden hour night. His little four year old feet racing across the much needing of new stain deck, down the stairs, by the garden with the peas finally sprouting up, and over to the ditch inbetween the yards. There, in it’s glorious state of left-over rainness {that’s my new word} was a wonderful, tempting, just sitting there, large puddle.
Don’t go in the puddle Elijah.
He looked back and me – we stared each other down – me the mom and the very curious four year old standing on the still soggy over saturated grass with that puddle in the background.
Please momma. I won’t get wet.
{I knew that wasn’t true…he’s four… and the puddle was so tempting.}
Those little eyes staring at me. Pleading.
Let me be curious.
It was about joy. Not about the mess, muddy hands, wet feet, that it’s real close to bedtime, or that there are mosquitoes emerging. This was simply about him – wondering – wanting to just explore without all those parameters that my busy mom self wanted to impose on him. I didn’t want a mess. I didn’t want the work. I wanted it easy, you know?
He wanted to be a four year old.
He wanted to be out there in the world, this beautiful creation, where he could simply be free to explore. Splashing the water, throwing maple seed pods into the water and watching them float around, dunking the butterfly net in and basking in the wonder, the simple wonder, of childhood.
I needed to slow down.
To let go of my agenda. To let him be a child – living in the wonder that we adults lose so quickly with each passing day. We race and rush and run and forget to sit in the absolute wonder of a spring day. We see the work. We see the inconveniences, the divergence from the schedule, and we miss the joy of watching water splashed in the setting sun.
Intentional. Little wonder moments.
Motherhood moments that we can be blessed to give. Those snippets of air, of freedom, of exploring, of wonder – we must give them space to enjoy them. Our agendas – the schedules, our color-coded routines, our next thing on the list – can wait. They are given one chance to be four. One. Time will pass and they’ll lose the wonder in that puddle – it will simply become just a puddle. But now? Now, they’re given the gift of wonder. Of time.
This is learning. Curiosity. Life. A puddle to explore on a spring night.
{Mothers – bless them with the space in their life for these moments.}
I had to let go and let him go and just be.
Did you have fun, Elijah?
Those were my words later.
It’s joy in the little things.
to read more of Elijah’s life lessons click let me see the straws
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18 comments
Lovely post! As Moms we sometimes get so caught up in the “don’ts” that we take all the joy out of being a child. We need to ask ourselves “is this going to hurt my child?” and if not, just let them enjoy the moment and let us enjoy it through them.
Yes! Intentional joy moments should not be sacrificed – life is short. There is time for it all when we just pause and consider His greatness and how he reminds us that we need to also remember to have our own childlike faith-filled moments! Happy Wednesday, Rachel! Thanks …sweet pics.
Ah- those little moments that fly by so quickly…the agenda, the schedule….there will be time…that puddle…it will disappear and the boy will become a man…chasing his own boy….you’re laying the ground work now…for the wonderment he will create for your grandchildren! So beautiful the way you woo with words…and provide wisdom!
Again another wonderful post, love this! Reminds me of your intentional parenting series and our day outside w/the water table and my many pictures of fun! Also, I went to a phenomenal workshop w/Julie Ross who wrote Practical Parenting in the 21st Century – she discussed this very important piece that you wrote about-encouraging our children 🙂
Bravo, well said, Rachel! My nearly 14 year old daughter with special needs teaches me this on a daily basis. She is caught up in the wonder of the tiniest things, no matter how many times she sees them. Wonder moments are God moments!
You are such a good Mama, filled with love … look at those photo’s, that sheer joy xxx
OK…That spoke to me! 😉
Thanks so much! Aloha-
We all need this reminder to let our kids be kids, even if it means we’re out of our comfort zone! I’ve been trying to focus on this lately. If you’re interested,check out my post which shares a lot of the same thoughts. http://www.followinghisleadtoday.com/2012/04/being-yes-mom.html
I love this so much, it brought tears to my eyes. I love that my little man slings mud up his back riding his bike in the puddles and gets so excited by it. Thank you for letting your kids, be kids.
I just recently stumbled upon your blog and I have been back daily since I found it! I love the daily reminders to slow down, to let the kids explore and enjoy life…something I struggle with very much. Every post I have read has spoken very directly to me. Thank you for allowing His perspective in your life to inspire others!
Just beautiful. Love the pictures. He’s adorable. I remember my mom teaching my son to jump in puddles when he was about two… he got the greatest kick out of that and we still smile thinking about it all these years later. So carefree.
Another wonderful post… So glad I found your blog! You have such a way with words. Thank you for sharing your gift – and wisdom. God bless you! (Not the same Angel who posted earlier, in case anyone is wondering.)
Lifting up prayers!
Psalms 145:14-18 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
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I’m afraid I allowed these wonderful child moments too seldom in my children, but have been given a second chance with my grands. Thanks for keeping these teaching, memory-making moments before us. We are never too old.
Some of the best advice I got when I was a new mommy with my first child (who is now 22) from a wise older mom was encouragement to look for opportunities to say yes. Through the years this made me realize how often I wanted to say no to things that were inconvenient to me but something that my children wanted to do. When that no would well up on the back of my tongue I would remember her words and after a while saying yes became a habit. My heart is so grateful to the lady. I think saying yes has been one of the main ways I have blessed my children…with joy, encouragement, and it has blessed me because our home became more positive and this one small thing was one way to help me get my eyes off myself and what I wanted.
Blessings!
Thank you, I needed this reminder this morning when I realized I was saying no far too much in one morning.
Thank you.
this is so me! haha. thanks for the reminder!! let us let them be curious. let us let them enjoy every moment of their ever-fleeting childhood!
I find myself doing this a lot because their play can sometimes be inconvenient – like… getting wet, muddy, dirty and then tracking it into the house. I remember realizing a long time ago, that by telling our kids to abide by our schedules, belittles the importance they place on what they’re doing and their overall self-worth. I can totally relate to this post. Thank you 🙂