Learning

Today in church during the homily (when the priest gives his sermon after the gospel) the priest talked about prayer, faith and perseverance. This brought me back to the pain, frustration and anger I had when trying to get pregnant with Maggie. I was so angry at God for me not being pregnant and thought He wasn't listening. Or maybe just didn't care? Or was He punishing me for something I did or didn't do? I struggled and felt further away from God than I ever had. Everyone told me in God's time, to have patience and to look for the lesson.

Eleven months later I found out I was pregnant and I got my sweet baby girl. I didn't see it right away but there were so many lessons I did learn from the experience. Today's homily was one of them. When you pray to God and ask him for something - sometimes His answer is yes, sometimes His answer is no and sometimes His answer is maybe or not yet. You must persevere and have patience. You must keep the faith.

I was mulling over these thoughts and holding Maggie during the end of mass when she can get squirmy. All of the sudden I realized her feet were at my knees. When did my baby grow so tall? After church we went shopping at Target and Ricks' feet grew a whole shoe size since May. Who told these babies they could grow so soon and so fast? I keep hoping that time will move slower and I can hang on to them for just a bit longer. I just want to freeze these moments in my mind and imprint them in my heart.

Each day my kids teach me so many lessons. I learn more from them then I every learned in school. I am blessed to have such good professors in this life. They remind me of all that is important when I get lost and a little off my path. God is their partner in teaching me all the life lessons I still have yet to learn. Maggie taught me about patience and perseverance. Ricks and God taught me that my will is not the best way to go. God's will is the better way. Maggie was supposed to be an only child until God sent us Ricks. Best darn surprise I will EVER receive and I thank God for him everyday.

Maggie has taught me about faith, strength and spunk. Ricks has taught me about joy, being present in the moment and pure love. Both have taught me endless lessons of gratitude. Without them I would be so much less than who I am. They have enriched my life and helped to define the person who looks back at me in the mirror. Each day I say so many thank yous to God for each moment with each one. I can't wait until tomorrow to learn so much more!