Embracing Change

A couple of days ago while walking, I dipped back into my memory bank to the summer of 2000. Jim and I had signed a contract to buy a manufacturing company, but after deeper thought, changed our minds. This prompted the owner to close it down. She offered us both severance packages and we were both out looking for jobs in June. Two and a half months later, we were in Atlanta with an offer Jim received. But I have the sweetest memories of that summer.

The boys were 6 and 9. Every day we would throw the bikes in the back of the truck and head to a beautiful park with lots of wooded walking and bike trails. We biked, hiked, ran, and just had a wonderful time. One day, we took a kite and we all took turns seeing who could keep it up the longest. The boys loved it and so did we. It was pure heaven for me—being outdoors and spending every single day together as a family.

Boy have things changed since then. My husband is now with his Father and my boys are 15 and 18. If I asked them to go for a bike ride they look at me like I’m speaking a new language. Their interests have changed. Derek is primarily focused on hanging with his friends, but I’m still Zach consummate playmate…tennis, pitching softball or whatever he wants. Our relationships are solid, but they don’t get excited about the same things they did 9 years ago. That’s normal…but sometimes it’s hard for their poor old mama.

I don’t hearken back too often, but when I do, I remind myself to embrace the ever changing dynamics of our family. And I get there by remembering that God has me right where He wants me. There is a reason He has chosen this path for our family. He has higher things in mind that aren’t always evident to me. But I trust in His sovereignty over each moment of my day.

Yesterday, the three of us spent most of the day together just hanging out and today I went to lunch with Derek. I have learned to meet them where they are. If the two of them are playing Xbox, then I go upstairs and just sit in the same room. Derek loves to eat, so I enjoy making his favorite breakfast or going out to eat when it works. No, they don’t jump up and down anymore when I say we’re loading up the bikes and going to the park, but they still love life and I still love them…more today than I did yesterday.