The book I came to buy was not easy to find. As I searched the crowded shelves, a quick movement to my left caught my attention.
As her mother browsed the books, the little girl by her side passed the time. She she danced with small, secret movements. Twice she glanced in my direction, pleasantly aware of her only audience. Perhaps she was remembering steps she learned that week in dance class. It was obvious to me that in her head, those movements were much larger, graceful and real. As I watched her from the corner of my eye, a thought occurred to me.
This little girl will probably never become a famous ballet dancer. Perhaps she doesn’t even desire that. At best, she will dance her way through college, possibly on a scholarship. Most likely, her interest in ballet dancing will fade as she enters high school where school spirit and team sports are emphasized. She may choose to join one of them, or she may not. Either way, her extra-curricular specialty will become only a past-time or a word on a future list of hobbies or a conversation piece.
That leaves her with only one conclusion: ballet dancing is not for later. Ballet dancing is for now. That little girl doesn’t have to be taught to dream of dancing forever. She does that naturally. But what would it take to convince her that dancing is for now?
Have you ever had the sense you are waiting for something? In the waiting, there is an expectation that things are going to change and that right now isn’t as important as later. What will it take to convince me that right now is later?
What a beautiful post! It’s so true that it’s much easier to live in the dream of tomorrow than the reality of today. Consequently, we fail to live today as we really could – passionately and fully. I want to make it a point to live for today and to treat each day as it truly is – a gift from God. An opportunity to embrace all that God has blessed me with at that present moment. To live in contentment.
Good Morning Emily–I found your blog and have really enjoyed it.
As a mom I think that there’s always a part of me that knows that now is later, because being in the moment for your children is what helps to nurture and grow them. It helps me to remember to seize the moment and live fully, step out and take the risk, maybe look silly, but I believe we are meant to live life fully, and I’m still trying to do that even now that my children are older.
Wow – this made me stop cooking my oatmeal and think. I’m guilty of skipping the now’s if it won’t be a big part of the laters. Forgetting that Later is made up of many little “nows” Thanks for the beautifully written post.
Seeing how quickly life can change (the accident you all were in) is one way to make you appreciate the “now”. Getting older also makes you want to keep the “now” around longer!
Two pairs of gray-blue eyes, two pairs of happy little feet remind me every day to dance… because they dance, run, and jump with fervor, gusto, trust, and exuberance.
It’s all about perspective. We have a penny in front of our eye covering the sun….but reality is the sun is much bigger than the penny…much bigger than what we can see. I love the verse “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” God never promised to show us the entire mile path stretched out in front of us…sometimes he lights the next step, and it’s with Faith we trust Him to continue to show us the way…sometimes step by step.
Emily,
Have you read the FISH Philosophy? One of the major tenets is to Be Present. I struggle with this all the time – I’m thinking of the next ‘big’ thing on the list and foget to fully listen to the story being told in front of me (hey – my kids take after me and they talk a reeeeaaaallly long time…)
Anyway, the little diaper-bottom sitting on my lap is a little too wet for my comfort – better go presently to change this mess before the future brings disastrous consequences (and a change of my clothes…oh wait. I don’t have any other clean clothes. Perhaps I’ll go do the laundry first…)
This was great. I was LITERALLY just thinking about how we get so consumed by what we are believing God for and what He promised that we don’t live right in the moment where he has us, and we miss the wrungs on the ladder…the blessings….the opportunities for growth…the opportunities to do self-examination…the opprotunities to bless someone else with a testimony of what God has done for us in the past and how is graciously blessing us with mercy and favor, RIGHT NOW….I’ve been there, but praise God I have recently come to understand that I must take the opportunities listed above during this time, and I’ve found that as I’ve done that…I’m not consumed about the waiting…because I’m busy in the now..and it has so many rich blessings and benefits. Oh how we short ourselves by having far-sighted vision alone…God gave us near and far-sighted vision for a reason
They are both equally important, but we need both to function properly.
That is sweet! My daughter loves dancing as well. She dances and sings her little songs through the house, mostly made up; which makes them even cuter.
I don’t know why that had me in tears. Maybe because it was just what I needed, Thank you.
em i tirsty
Wow! I love how God uses random people to speak to us. I found your blog through the grapevine and have made sure to check in frequently. When I read your post I couldn’t help but smile and be thankful for the now. As a newlywed, everyone’s told me to make sure I soak all of these childless moments up. I often find myself dreaming and planning away, all the while forgetting how priceless each moment in the now is. God says that he has big plans for us…he already knows all about them. So, instead of thinking so hard about all of things that could be, your post has reminded me to give it up to Him who holds all things together, and to soak these little “now” moments up.
holy cow i love the last paragraph of this post. Ofen I spend way to much time thinking I’m waiting for something different.
Sheesh you write SO well. I’m jealous there, too.
I was a ballerina once, then a jazz dancer, then a concert pianist (oh wait, that was my mom’s dream). I couldn’t be a dancer because I’m a klutz. But I can still play the piano well. That’s something, right?
What an inspired post, Emily. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and making us better as a result.
Blessings,
Shilo
What a great post..so well put! I just loved it!!! Your writing is so passionate and fun!
-sandy toes
i haven’t often had that feeling but in the sense that i never really felt like i knew what i wanted to be wehn i grew up, that i never had any real dreams, in that sense i might say yes.
i’ve always been pretty content to go along taking whatever life gives me whenever and making it work. so i always get uncomfortable when people say what are your dreams? what did you dream about being when you were little? even then, nothing.
so my question is, do you have to have this big important dream for yourself?
totally not what your post was about. that’s what i get for commenting in the morning before my coke.
Ouch. That little spiritual spankin’ hurt! But it hurt so good. Thanks for using your incredible gift from God to reach some “waiting for the next moment” Moms out here!
Thank you –I notice I can easily miss opportunities if i put off “the now” I still have regrets about an opportunity someone gave me and I passed it up thinking it wasn’t that important at the time. I was thinking “simplify” my life. Good advice, but I’ve learned it’s better for me to stretch a little always to make sure I don’t miss anything.
This was so good. And you are right. With things going on in my life right now and my oldest child soon leaving the nest, I must realize NOW is the time. Not later.
I enjoyed that so much. Wish I had the ability to see something so simple and make it into something more meaningful.
Dreams are wonderful arent’ they.
Though most may never ever come into being. It’s a joy to watch little ones take every moment and truely enjoy it for all it’s worth. Oh, to be like a little child and ENJOY what we have at this very moment and truely be content with it and enjoy the many pleasures the Lord brings to us each and every day.Have a wonderful day enjoying the pleasures of the Lord and all that you do thru out the day!
Thanks for making me think. Sigh. And smile. Gotta go – now (my 3 year old) is calling!
Wow! That’s a great thought! I need to mull that one over for a while!
I agree with Laura…I need to mull this over a while. I’ve got something brewing in my head that I think is for “later,” but when exactly do I think “later” is?
Your post reminds me what I already know…that I love being a mom today.
What a poignant post. Love all the interesting comments, too.
I think half the reason I don’t remember things is because I’m not paying attention – not living in the moment.
And it’s the second time today the Lord has pointed this out to me. Hmmmm.
I’m pretty sure this is my favorite post ever.
You have such a gift and I am so thankful that you share your beautiful writing talent with all of us. I am so glad that I found your blog. Thank you for all of your inspiration.
I always feel that way – like what is to come is better than what is now. Maybe part of that is the gift of hope. I am trying to work on adding a sprinkling of contentment to it though. Balance in my life hasn’t always been one of my strong suits. Progress not perfection…(this is my motto)
I don’t mean to be bold or persume that posting a comment on your site, someone I have never met, goes against blogger rules or your personal comfort zone. But I came to visit your site through my friend Stephanie Reagan. And I was happy to find that we have two life altering things in common…small children and husbands who are youth pastors. I share your desire to serve the Lord in whatever my hands find themselves doing, but also am constantly confronted by my own “human insanity” (my flesh). I will pray for you when I visit your site and remeber to live in the “nows” as I post quotes from my children.
Thank you for your kind words, your prayer and encouragement to my sister Mercy over the past few months. She is doing ok. Please look at her blog for her updates that she is writing and I am posting for her.
http://mercyproject.blogspot.com/
very well said!!!!
Wow!
Very well said. I want to live life to the fullest…to make the most of each day! Thanks for the encouragement today!
very well narrated ,blog
http://ashok-discoverindia.blogspot.com/
Wonderful post. I have been waiting too. Time to stop.