Moments

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Life is busy. So busy some days, I forget to brush my hair, put on matching socks or turn off the lights when I leave home. I have always been a busy person, I thrive on activity and having a full schedule. Becoming a Mom has increased my busyness and decreased my sleep. But we need times to just slow down and enjoy the beauty God has put all around us.

Growing up I spent a lot of time on or near the water. My Dad enjoys fishing, so that meant weather us kids liked it our not, we got to go fishing. Some of my most cherished memories of this time out with my family, were the ones where we were doing nothing at all. I can remember sitting on a dock with my toes in the water looking up at the sky and just letting my mind wander. Other times I would stretch out on my tummy on the dock and just gaze over the edge marveling at all the life teeming in the water below.

Shortly after I accepted Christ, my family went on a trip to Florida. I am not a morning person, but I woke up early and went to sit on the balcony. Here I was sitting on the edge of the ocean, the morning sun setting it aglow in the deepest of purples, pinks and blues. As I sat there a flock of pelicans flew by me so close I could have touched them and you could see dolphins playing in the waves the tide was making. That was a moment that took my breath away. I had no where to be, no one to look after, nothing that needed to be done. I like to think that God made that morning just for me. When life gets hectic, or I lose focus of the beauty going on around me, I am reminded of that moment. The world stood still, I can still smell the salty breeze, feel the chill of the morning air on my face and envision that beautiful scene. It reminds me that in every day there are moments that if we pause long enough they will take our breath away.

Last night at the end of yet another busy day, Mike and I took Emma for a drive. We went and sat at the lake downtown. Here I was with my family close, a cool breeze and setting sun. As tired as I was, I stood for a moment and took a deep breath. My soul felt refreshed. It was yet another moment that took my breath away.

I think it is important to take time and simply enjoy all that God has given us. Weather it is a sunny day, a starry night, a thunder storm or a sleeping baby. God gives us these beautiful moments each day. If you slow down, and take a breath it will take your breath away.