This Too Shall Pass...

My baby girl graduates from high school on Sunday.

My baby girl graduates from high school on Sunday.

My baby girl graduates from high school on Sunday.

Nope, it doesn't get any easier to say it!!  And I still can't believe it!!

Eighteen years ago I remember looking upon that chubby face and covering it with mommy kisses.  I promised myself and her that I would absorb every day, every minute of my time with her.

Fast forward a few weeks and after three weeks of nursing her every two hours, several bouts of mastitis, and complete sleep deprivation, I started to wonder if I might be absorbing too much!  I mean a sponge can only hold so much water!!  Ya know what I mean??!!

But a wise friend gave me some advice for the parenting journey that was just beginning....This too shall pass. 

She told me to remember that when the nights are short and I feel like I can't go on another minute..This too shall pass.  She also told me to remember it when things were going great and I thought my kid was the smartest, most talented, bestest kiddo on the planet!!

As that sweet baby grew older, our days went from ones of constant nursing and no sleep to days of grabbing sticks of butter off of the table (while we had company over of course!!) and eating it!!  Her favorite word was "NO!" and if I said go left, she would look up at me with that beautiful smile and turn right!!

So I remembered.  I remembered that This too shall pass.  I tried to appreciate every day I had with her, even when I was pulling my hair out by the end of it!!  Now, don't get me wrong, some days were easier than others and some days I totally sucked at the appreciating every day thing....but we tried.

Then it stopped!  As quickly as her defiant stage started, it stopped!!  Oh how wonderful my child was.  Obviously I was a fantastic parent to have raised such a joy to be around. 

Oops!  I had forgotten the wise advice...This too shall pass!  Because then we brought in a baby sister!!

Well, my first baby girl was not too pleased to share her life with my second baby girl.  She became a whining, complaining mess!!  I tried to remember that this was a huge adjustment for her little self, but on the days when I was sleep deprived...again...it was a bit hard.  But my wise friend reminded me again...This too shall pass!

When my baby girl was around six years old, they thought that she had a tumor on her thyroid.  We went through one week of test after test and scan after scan.  I was terrified that something was wrong with her.  What if the Lord took her from me?

It was during this time that the Lord really taught me about the frailty of life and how we only have today.  He taught me about making each day count for the kingdom and as a parent, that also equates to making each day count in the life of my children.

As the years went on, we had our good months and our not so good months.  But I kept in mind that This too shall pass. 

I remember thinking that twelve years old was soooo far away.  I could not imagine her ever being that old.  Then POOF....she was!

I remember thinking that it would take forever for her to turn 16.  Then POOF...she was!!

Now POOF...she is 18, graduating from high school and leaving for college in a few months!!

Now, when I think of the saying...This too shall pass...it means something different to me.  I don't think about it as often as a way to help me get through a tough day, or a way to keep me grounded.

No, I think of it as a reminder that I only have three months left to instill in my baby girl all that she needs to know to be ready to head into the college world. 

I only have three months left to make sure that she is thoroughly grounded in the Word before she is surrounded by the world.

I only have three months left to look at her sweet face every morning while she is sleeping and watch the rise and fall of her chest as she breathes. 

I only have three months left to listen from a different room to her laugh with her sisters.

Then she will go away.  I know that her journey is only temporary and she will be home during school breaks and summers.  But you and I both know that it won't be the same.  She will leave our home in three months as a child, but she will return to me a young woman.

I have known for 18 years that This too shall pass.  That childhood would pass for my daughters and they would enter adulthood.  I just did not think it would come so fast!!

Now, don't get me wrong, I KNOW that the Lord is in control and that she is walking in His plan.  I also know that if we missed teaching or instilling anything in her, the Lord will provide another way!!  But my mommy heart hurts.

So for all of my friends out there who have young children.  Those who are exhausted and frustrated...remember that This too shall pass.

For my friends who have teenagers who might be causing a ruckus right now...remember This too shall pass.

And for my fellow moms of children who area about to graduate and their hearts are excited for their children, yet are a bit broken for what is changing...remember This too shall pass!  And from what I hear...the next journey is awesome!