I grew up in a large, busy family. Slow-paced or restful rarely defined us! As an adult, “busy” feels comfortable to me. When I see empty days in my calendar, I tend to seek actively to fill them up. Often, when I finally take a day to just breathe and rest, it’s out of sheer exhaustion rather than intentional choice. This busy pace may help me mark things off my checklist, but it can also be a roadblock that causes me to miss sweet moments along the way.
Recently, I experienced reminders of those sweet moments when my husband and I, unintentionally, left off all technology for one evening. We just stayed up late talking about our life together, without distraction. The next day, my young daughter whispered to me, “Hold me, Mama.” In that moment, despite the checklist in my calendar, I picked her up and we spent time talking, singing, and cuddling. I would never trade those sweet moments.
In Luke chapter 2, the Bible mentions various significant events that happened in the life of Jesus as a boy. Interwoven in these stories are two verses about Mary, His mother, that always stand out to me. Although short, they are so significant in showing the way Mary pondered and treasured these important moments.
Verse 19 (NIV) reads, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Later in verse 51 (NIV), it says, “… But his mother (Mary) treasured all these things in her heart.” She intentionally paused to ponder and treasure those sweet moments.
Most likely, I will always tend to be drawn to busyness, but, like Mary, I desire to be more intentional to slow down at the right times. I want to treasure sweet time with my family, in friendships, and with God.
Sarah LeBlanc
Great Lakes Field Director