I cried for hours yesterday, horrified yet glued to the news broadcast.
All those children.
Children.
As a mother, as a human, it ripped right into my heart.
I kept thinking about the storms in New Jersey and New York. We can help to rebuild homes. We can donate clothes, time, money, food and other resources.
There is nothing to do. There is no resource to grab up and send to these families.
Families who have probably purchased Christmas gifts that were anxiously wished for and to be opened with glee in less than 2 weeks.
Families who were rushing around, getting holiday preparations in order, taking kids where they needed to go, juggling work and sports and school and homework.
Mothers who were planning to make their kindergartener's favorite meal Friday night.
Fathers who were planning to leave the office just a little early yesterday to take Junior shopping for a present for mom.
Grandparents who were navigating shopping malls and box stores, searching for the one un-findable treasure for precious grandchildren.
Families with one less child to tuck in at night.
A million hugs and kisses that will never be given nor received.
It breaks my heart.
Reality Check
So often, things come across our lives that wake us up. Usually, we think hard about our lives in whatever area that may be for awhile, and then we go on as we were after a few weeks.
Let's not do that.
I know I am not the only parent who procrastinates.
I know I am not the only parent who wants to do better by my children.
I know I am not the only parent who gets caught up in things-to-do-places-to-go madness, shouting about messy rooms and toys in the living room, loud play, loud music, loud laughter, constant wants for time, for things, for first position in the lineup.
I can pretty safely say that those little children and their parents did not think a moment about a mess or noise or any other annoyance in their last moments and in the moment they heard of the tragedy, respectively.
The next time you are feeling quick to anger, slow down and think of families who wish they had a child to be noisy during the football game or during a phone chat with a friend.
Take them places, and forget about the things-to-do once in awhile.
Lower the standard for mess allowance to a happy medium. As long as there is not filth and you can navigate, just shut the door.
Grab a basket and throw the toys in. It can be a basketball game and will quickly be done with joy.
Let them play. Let them be loud whenever you can.
When their voices ring out in laughter, treasure it instead of shushing it. Laughter at midnight is still joy. Don't forget that.
Give them your time and attention. This is, for me, the hardest. I get overwhelmed by so much need for my attention and tend to shut down a bit. All too soon, they will want nothing to do with you.
Give them things when it is in your power and within reason, and as long as they are grateful and not entitled.
Give them first position. Also a struggle for me in my household....The answer is, I think, to set up certain times that belong to one child and to one parent only. I always mean to do this and put it off.
And that brings me to my title.
Do it.
Now.
I am talking to you, yes. But most of all, I'm talking to me.
Protect with Scripture and Prayer
I am personally speaking Psalm 91 over my household. My goal is to speak it daily; not yet a daily habit, but I'm working on it. This is at the urging of a Pastor from our church, and I'm so thankful for it. I've written it out in the first person and carry it with me so I can read it aloud whenever I feel the need.
I encourage you to do the same; use the scriptures to bind you up in safety and comfort. When all is said and done, it's all we have and it's everything we need.