As I get older, I realize there are things in my life I didn't
appreciate
until it was too late.
I didn't appreciate the naps they used to make me take in
kindergarten.
I long for the day when someone says, "You can't work anymore
until
you take a nap." I guarantee you, I won't argue.
I didn't appreciate one-cent candy or milk that was delivered to
your
front door. In the "do-it-yourself" world we'll never see
either of those
again.
I didn't appreciate those face-squishing hugs my mother used to
give me.
Now that she's gone home to be with the Lord, I long for just
one more.
This time I would squish her right back.
I didn't appreciate the days I danced barefoot in the rain with
my mouth
open wide trying to get a drink of raindrops.
I didn't appreciate the sacrifice my parents made for my
brothers and me
to keep us clothed, fed and happy.
I didn't appreciate mom letting us mess up the living room on a
rainy day.
I thought building a tent with a secret tunnel is what everyone
did on
those days.
I didn't appreciate the marvels of planting a seed and watching
is sprout
into a full-grown plant.
I didn't appreciate the struggles we had to go through as a
family.
Because of yesterday's struggles, we have strength for today.
I didn't appreciate the times my sons came to me and asked those
annoying, unanswerable question. "What makes a duck quack?"
"Why is the sky blue?"
I had no idea they thought I was smart enough to answer all
their
questions.
I didn't appreciate the times our family had together.
I didn't appreciate those "primary" Sunday School teachers who
went
through so much trouble to collect toilet paper rolls so I could
understand
what a scroll was.
I didn't appreciate those clear nights when the stars danced
with glee
showing off their awesome Creator.
I didn't appreciate our son's "refrigerator artwork" that made
our house a
home.
I didn't know to appreciate the muddy footprints my wife and I
so often
found making a path across our carpet as a representation of
life.
I didn't appreciate the times my children fell asleep in daddy's
arms.
I
didn't realize it was there they felt protected from all the
elements of
the world.
I didn't appreciate my parents taking me to church, the place I
found God!
I didn't appreciate the ease at which I can access a Bible,
while I know
people who hunger for a single page.
And, even today, I can't fully appreciate what a great salvation
I have.
God, I have just one prayer for today. Open my eyes that I may
be able to
see and appreciate the things that you do each day.
Thanks to Peggy R. for this one!!