I wasn’t able to write a blog post last week.
My Angel’s wedding day.
Though I had many words in my heart to share, they never made it to the keyboard because life was happening – busily sweeping me from one task to the other – at times, without a moment to exhale.
We experienced the birth of a baby, the death of his great-grandfather, and the daily awareness that a loved one was slipping into eternity – with the fear that we may not make it to see them before they do, a personal bout with laryngitis (UGGH!! Yes, God silenced me!), a visit by my daughter’s mother-in-law; and still, life is going on – and being lived – all the while, ebbing away.
Helping my little girl get dolled up.
Even at this very moment, as I’m ironing my husband’s shirt for church, I’m recording these very thoughts into the notes app on my cell phone. A thought here . . . a sentence there . . . I can barely manage to eke out one paragraph between the ironing, the make-up, and preparing a rushed and half-eaten breakfast.
That’s not a bad thing, that’s just my life: putting a multitude of people before my personal endeavors; struggling to prioritize relationships over ambition.
And still, hoping that some how, some way, the twain shall meet:
- surrendering to the daily grind – and still seeing God glorified through this blog;
- time being consumed with cooking, cleaning, serving, and carpooling – yet experiencing professional fulfillment.
All the young men that I love.
Though it may sound high and mighty – to profess that I’m prioritizing people (or trying to) – that’s not my intention at all. Truthfully, such a statement doesn’t make me noble . . . in fact, it makes me average. I think the simplest way to describe it, would be to say, it makes me a mom; plain and simple – a mom.
Because isn’t that what we moms do all day, every day?
We surrender. We yield. We serve. We love.
We produce way more physical energy than we ever believed we could. We give away more of ourselves emotionally than we ever thought was possible.
We are moms, and we are busy living the moments.
Because the outpouring, the exhaustion, the tabling of dreams – it really is the most important thing, and I was tangibly reminded of this truth during a funeral that I recently attended.
As I observed the meticulous and lovingly handcrafted pictorial collage of the deceased’s life, I read the following quote, which was weaved in between the images like a work of art: “FAMILY: Today’s little moments become tomorrow’s precious memories.”
As I stood there – sandwiched in between the casket and the collage – the quote was an affirmation of what’s really important in life: the moments. Because in the end, when it’s all said and done, and the final curtain closes, nothing will matter but the moments, because they become our loved ones precious memories.
As moms, let’s choose to live these “little” moments.
They are happening all of time – but mostly, in the mundane – when we are usually not aware that “moments” are happening – when no one is there to snap the photos.
Happy moments: A bridal shower and baby shower planned by mommy with love.
As someone who has raised four kids who are now adults – and then cried for months (years!) regretting that their childhood stage was over – wondering where the time had gone, and wishing that I could get it back – I implore you to not only choose those (not so) little moments, but to also live “in” the moment.
Say “yes” more, smile more, pause to acknowledge your kids more. Stop – and deeply inhale and exhale more.
Hug longer, laugh harder. Just be in moment.
Baby shower moments.
Even writing this blog post is really a reminder for myself.
A reminder that as a mother of six, and grandmother of two (among many others hopefully to come), my life is going to be full of people – full of choosing the moments – and because of that it will be full of trying to find stolen moments to write on this blog, but still, I choose those little precious moments.
They may be ordinary moments, and my title may be plain, but my work is magnificent!
As moms, we have our moments – and those little moments become tomorrow’s precious memories – and that is truly a marvelous thing.
All wedding photos by Meg Hansen Photography | Come and check out where I party!
Tiffiney, I LOVE this post! Wow, what a beautiful family you have. . . and you’re right. We need to be living in the moments, because that’s what we get. I fear that sometimes we get so eager to share our moments on social media that we’re not actually present in them. Bless you for your ministry to your family and to other women!
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Richella, my love! Your comment: “sometimes we get so eager to share our moments on social media that we’re not actually present in them” is what I am fighting against every day of my blogger life. You couldn’t have summed it up better. Thank you so much for stopping by and for featuring my post. I pray it’s a blessing to many.
So fitting for #MomentsofHope this week, Tiffiney! The moments were what started my blog. It started as Searching for Moments and the Link-Up became Moments of Hope – because just as you said, it’s about the moments. Grabbing them, living them fully, and trying our best to not miss one. And searching for them when we get sidetracked by the messes or the hurt in the world.
Love this as usual, my friend ♥
Lori
Wow Lori, what a connection there between the name of your blog and link up, and the my post. I don’t think I was ever able to put my finger on the importance of the “moments” before I wrote that post, but I see that you were able to make that connection quite some time ago. What a blessed thing it is – to be aware of the moments and there importance in our lives. Thank you so much for the feature, my friend. I pray it’s a true blessing to many!
Tiffiney, This was such a beautifully poignant blog post. The Lord has definitely gifted you with writing. There were so many things I gleaned from this post that encouraged my heart.
It is so true that today’s moments are tomorrow’s precious memories. I have experienced that tenfold.
It was such a treat to visit your sweet blog today. Thank you so much for sharing.
Sweet Karen, if this post has encouraged you, then my prayers are being answered. What a blessing that you stopped by.
Sorry for your loss, I hope you some rest after so much going on Blessings, Happy Mother’s Day,
Thank you so much Rebecca! Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
Tiffiney, What a beautiful post about moments. It brought happy tears to my eyes. Yes, all we have are moments. I want to choose to live them well. Thank you for the reminder and sharing your lovely post with Grace & Truth Link-Up.
Hey Maree, I love the Grace and Truth community of bloggers, It’s always a pleasure to link up! Thank you for stopping by. Happy tears..aww..how sweet.
What a beautiful post. Such good reminders.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Tiffiney. This is. So. Beautiful. YOU are so beautiful. I love every word. Cannot pick a favorite bit, but love, love, love this: “life is going on . . . being lived . . . all the while, ebbing away.” I needed all this today, my friend. Thank you. #Grace&Truth
Elizabeth, I am so touched that you were blessed by this post. It is a reminder for us all as moms. And you are so beautiful, my friend! It’s a true joy and pleasure to be your blogging buddy. You’re the bestest. LOL! ??
I loved this post – both in words and photos! We so need to remember that life happens in this moment. Thank you for reminding me not to miss today! Blessings!
Thank you for your sweet comment, Joanne. I find that I need this reminder daily. Blessings!
Hi Tiffany,
I too have 6 daughters & 10 grandchildren! The moments are precious in all the crazy busyness of family life.
We are page buddies at Moments of Hope link up, I too shared about motherhood with my post Mama Guilt…
You’re most welcome to drop by for a cup of inspiration anytime!
Jennifer
Mama Guilt? Jennifer, I am so there already to read your post. Got my cup of coffee in hand. See ya soon!
Amen! I need to read this beautifully written post once a month! Thank you for this lovely reminder of what’s truly important.
You are so welcome, Alyson! I wrote this for all moms- and MYSELF! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by to be encouraged. 🙂
Lovely reminder to make the most of the moments we have with others, especially our loved ones. They fly by so quickly. And those moments are what we remember. Thanks, Tiffany.
The time really does fly by, Liz. Thanks for stopping by..
Such a beautiful reminder. And gorgeous photos, too! I’ll admit, this is a struggle for me right now…balancing home and work-from-home life. I just need to remember what’s most important. Blessings!
Balancing home and work is always a challenge for me too, Liz, and I don’t know when that struggle will end – but at least we are trying to find some sense of harmony between the two. Thanks for stopping by, my friend!
Tiffiney, as a mum whose nest is emptying faster than I ever imagined, I so appreciate your words! Thank you!
You’re so welcome, Michele. Thanks for stopping by! Your fellow empty nester, Tiffiney :o)
Choose to live these little moments. Yes!
Gorgeous pictures!
Thanks Sarah! I’m choosing them with you!
Hi Tiffiney! Oh so good to run into you at Holley’s just now. I’m resonating with much of what you’ve said about life and death and family and Christ right in the middle of it all.
Yes, yes …
Good to have you, Linda! Thanks for stopping in from Holly’s to read and comment.
Love your heart in this post, Tiffiney. Sharing this on Twitter and Pinterest!
Thanks for the shares, Sarah. Always a pleasure to have you stop by!
Dear Tiffiney, so beautifully written, heartfelt and wisdom in such a lovely package. Years ago at a family dinner, Mama was strangely quiet until I asked if anything was wrong. She smiled and said she was just listening to all of us loving on each other and being family. She was taking in the moment and savoring it. Your words reminded how important those moments are. Thanks and blessings for this delightful exhortation!
Hi Alice, I love that story about your mom, it sounds just like something I would do.☺ Seems like your mom loved the moments. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Thank you for this post… I am still raising 4 kids at home and 5 grown one plus I have 7 grand kids in my home right now while their parents work to straightened out. I get overwhelmed some days and you reminded of what is important…the little things, precious moments that shape lives and fulfill God’s plan to shape the next generation. Again, thank you for your post…such wonderful wisdom…Blessings, Kathleen Burditt
Wow, Kathleen! You’ve got a lot going on. God has certainly blessed you with all of those children, and even more with the grand children. I have two grans my self, and I’m helping to take care of one of them. This came sooner than I thought – the baby sitting grandchildren part – but like you, I’ve figured out that God’s grace is sufficient when I think I’m at my Witt’s end. Blessings to you and thank you for stopping by.
Tiffney, what a beautiful post. I have two boys, both teens. And as crazy-making as they can be sometimes, I thank God for them daily. You’re sharing one of my biggest (still-learning, still choosing) heart lessons . . . to be in each moment with our boys. It’s a moment-by-moment choice, isn’t it?
Beautiful post and pictures!
PS—I’m your neighbor at #RaRaLinkup today. 🙂
Hey Jeanne, this is a heart lesson that I continually have to revisit. I think it takes daily reminders to deliberately choose the moments and to live “in” the moments. Thank you for stopping by and commenting! I so appreciate the RaRa community. 🙂