"This too shall pass."
As I sat with a group of moms who were contributing insights for an upcoming book, one mom offered this as her touchstone for the years of raising her children. "In everything," she said, "I try to remember, 'This too shall pass.'" What a great source of hope, of encouragement, and of wisdom. The true beauty is that the phrase works both ways.
In times of sorrow or struggle--this too shall pass. When our oldest was nine months old, I was still walking the floor with him every night as he screamed in pain. I remember thinking, "I am never going to get a full night's sleep again." I think I fully believed that I would be hauling his nineteen year old body on my shoulder and pacing the floor.
The despair of believing life would never change nearly took me under. I wish someone had shared the truth, "this too shall pass"--because it did. As he turned one the stomach issues resolved, and we were both sleeping. Learning this lesson made it so much easier to face colic in subsequent children. I knew the stage wouldn't last forever, so I could face each night with strength and hope.
Whether we face illness, a bad behaviour pattern, or a time of conflict within our family; we can take encouragement knowing--this too shall pass.
In times of joy--this too shall pass. The days of snuggling on the couch with toddlers, the family dinners where everyone competes to share their highlight of the day, the tender conversations where children open their hearts--these too shall pass. Remembering this helps us treasure the moments. Take time for the moments. Set other opportunities aside to focus on the moments because this time with them won't last forever.
In all the bad and good we can take heart and treasure joy knowing--this too shall pass.
Please join us to encourage each other with your insights, remembering to keep comments uplifting and considerate of all. Click on 'comments' below to discuss this month's topic.