Time Flies

I can’t believe it, but my oldest daughter, Ashley, just entered her freshman year of college.

As I was going through a box over the summer I ran across this article I wrote following Ashley’s first day of kindergarten. It reminded me of how short our time with our children really is. In Psalm 90:12 Moses says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

After taking our daughter to college and helping her get settled into her dorm, I feel the need to apply this verse to my life with renewed intensity. Even though she is 400 miles away, there are so many things I want to share with her. In order to share these thoughts, I know I am going to have to be intentional. I am praying that God will help me to number my days so that together Ashley and I can present to Him a heart of wisdom.

Here’s the article I found in the box in my garage. I hope it encourages you to cherish the time with your kids and grandkids. They really do grow up that fast.

“Kindergarten”

As she posed in an almost military stance, I snapped a roll of “first day of school” pictures. Adorned in a pristine red, white and blue plaid uniform jumper and a perfectly combed pigtail, our ride to school began. Although I knew approximately 2,339 such days would follow, I also knew few would compare with today.

Armed with a carefully selected Little Mermaid lunchbox and spotless, new keds, my daughter boldly entered Mrs. Neufeld’s kindergarten class. After a brief scan of the room, she approached her desk for inspection. Lifting the lid of her pencil box, she gazed upon an unblemished pink pearl eraser, a newly sharpened pencil and rows and rows of perfectly pointed crayons.

As I turned to leave, a glance over my shoulder revealed the fact that a tear had begun to form – not in her eye, but in my own. Throughout the day, I thought of her often. Each time I did, I found myself offering up a quick prayer for her and a rather lengthy one for myself.

The ride home found her delirious with excitement. She instantaneously detailed stories of a noise lunchroom, new found friends and a classroom turtle named Timmy. Spaghetti and meatballs were followed closely by a warm bath, her favorite book and bedside prayers with her daddy. As I tucked her in she seemed dismayed to discover that her first day of school had come to an end.

“It went by so fast,” she said.

“Oh really,” I responded. “I thought it would never end.”