Thursday, June 19, 2014

Choices...



Sometimes the ideas come quickly and the words flow easily,
but even then, it still takes a sacrifice of time to sit down and actually write.
Time spent writing, means less time spent on something else.
Watching tv rarely happens now, magazines I used to eagerly read the day they arrived in the mail
sit for weeks, sometimes months, unopened.
The creative expression in writing is rewarding, but I'd be dishonest if I didn't confess that I hope something I've written will eventually get published and live on after I'm gone.
I suspect that to achieve that it will require a lot more sacrifice of time than just giving up a few tv shows.


Wednesdays are usually a day that I set apart time for writing.
Today, instead of writing I'm caring for our two youngest granddaughters
 while their mama and daddy are out of town.
Our oldest granddaughter came over as well.
And as much as I'd like to sit down and write something profoundly beautiful and unforgettable, there  are only so many sunshiny summer days I'm going to have when our grandchildren are young,
 and we're still young enough to play in the backyard with them.


And truthfully, if I had to chose writing something memorable for the world out there,
 or being someone memorable for my grandchildren, well, I'd have to choose them.
Here's a few of my words I hope that they never forget.
"Nana loves you."
"You're my favorite (insert name here) in the whole wide world!"
"If all the five year old girls, (or eleven year old girls or two year old girls), in the whole wide world were lined up in a big long line and Jesus said, 'choose one little girl to be your granddaughter', I would still choose you!"


How many more chances are there for backyard firepit s'mores in my lifetime?
It's easy to sacrifice a tv show, or time reading my favorite magazines,
but to miss moments I can never get back again of the summer my grandchildren were
 11, 10, 5, 2 and 5 weeks old, that's a sacrifice of a whole different level.


 Maybe I'm not serious enough, or devoted enough, or hard working enough of a writer.
Or maybe, because I've already raised my own daughters and know how fast it all flies by,
I realize how valuable and rare and precious these days are.


So, here I am at 11:45 pm on Wednesday.
Our three sticky faced granddaughters have had their baths, brushed their teeth, had their prayers, 
been tucked in and are finally fast asleep.
And here I am, clickity clacking away on the keyboard,
because it's Wednesday and Wednesdays are the day I usually set apart time for writing.


Except today, I had something more important to do with my time.



still following,
   







at 3-D Lessons for Life

35 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks you so much for always being an encouragement!

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  2. Elizabeth, you hit this one out of the park! Today you truly did have something much more important to do. And it was in sacrificing and doing the important, our God gave you the words to write. Elizabeth, each post and every word touches this Mimi's heart deeply. We leave no greater legacy than in those precious lives. Beautiful photos too!

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    1. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your encouragement!

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  3. Truly time well spent. Our relationships are much more important than anything this world has to offer. You should know that when you hit the publish button, the words you write do make a difference in this life. All grandmothers make a difference in the lives of our grandchildren, either positive or negative. God grant that I am a positive. Thank you.

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    1. I agree with you Regena. Your words blessed me.

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  4. Definitely a better choice to spend time with your darling grandchildren. As you say, they grow up so quickly and you'll never have that precious time like this again.
    And...it's a Wonderful blessing for your grandchildren to have you and your husband pouring your love and time and godly example into their lives.
    Mary Alice

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    1. Thank you so much Mary Alice. You bless and encourage me!

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  5. I so understand and you said it beautifully.

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  6. Never regret your decision! You are right, you can never get back those precious moments with your beautiful grands. I love mine the same way. I would choose them over most anything! Blessings~

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    Replies
    1. Being a grandparent is so much more amazing than you could ever know isn't it?

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  7. love this and your photos are so good....

    I'm kinda hungry for a smore, now, though.

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    1. Jill, you are a born photographer and have such an amazing eye, so your compliments mean so much!

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  8. Dear Elizabeth. You were at the right place at the right time with whom God wanted you to be with & both you & your grandchildren made awesome memories!! Best choice you will ever make! Blessings!!

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    1. I do think I made the right choice as well, Carol!

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  9. You chose well. I do the same things with my grandchildren and they are now 15 yrs. My how time does fly!!

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    Replies
    1. My oldest grandbaby just turned eleven. Seems like yesterday when I first held her in my arms!

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  10. I was going through this same struggle last night, knowing I've been neglecting writing but also knowing the moments with my husband just listening to him and being available are more important. But it's so easy to beat ourselves up, especially when we see what "other people" are doing! Sometimes I wonder if any of the writers in the Bible felt that way. Did they have any idea as they wrote their stories and words down that they'd last forever? And did they struggle with this feeling of needing to write more? Or is that part of our busy culture? It sounds like you had a great time with your family and it was time well spent!

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    1. Kim, I so understand the struggle and the feeling like I should be keeping up in some way with other blogger/writers. I guess I just need to listen to God's voice about how to use my time and talents instead of others.

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  11. You made the right choice for sure. Those girls are precious. I love hearing my grandchildren (that are all grown up now) talk about the memories of things we did together when they were small. At my recent "girl" reunion in Nebraska my second oldest (27) granddaughter shared that her favorite childhood memory was having supper at our house every Wed. night.....just her and her sister. We called it "Grandkid" night. When she shared that with the rest of the family my heart almost exploded with joy. My other granddaughter always slept with me when we were together. I just got a message from her today saying, "Remember when you said you were going to be sleeping with my up until the night before my wedding?" YES! They do remember the things you say to them. :-)

    Debbi

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    1. I love reading your sweet memories and exchanges with your grandchildren. I really wish time would slow down. Mine are growing up all too fast!

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  12. Oh I so understand this. Usually Tuesday is my writing day.
    Since school has been out, I have had a hard time hiding in the den. Cannot think of words when I am focused on lunch, dinner, snacks, appointments, soccer games and this list continues. I love the quiet.
    Also love to have the kids here.
    It is choices... yes.
    If I choose one the other one doesn't get attention. So I choose wisely.

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  13. You did more than I was expecting when I first began reading, Elizabeth. What a fun time with them and they will remember these moments, these grandma and grandpa adventures. Glad you came by my place as your words blessed me.
    Enjoy the kids and the sunshine and especially the love.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

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  14. What precious grandgirls...what a precious post!

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    1. Thank you, Debby. I think they're pretty precious, too!

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  15. Quite possibly my favorite pictures. And I'm so glad that you choose the greater things. I honestly admire that you have written so faithfully for so long.

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    1. Thank you, Rhonda. Your encouragement and confidence in me blesses me so much.

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  16. Really lovely pictures. I love smores! I also love time with the grandchildren and my daughter is 11 so I know how you feel. Just keep writing and God will bless in His time.

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    1. Thanks so much Mary! That's what I plan to do, just keep writing!

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  17. Oh my, this is beautiful Elizabeth!!

    "Maybe I'm not serious enough, or devoted enough, or hard working enough of a writer."

    I don't know how many times I've wondered this about myself, and of course, I thought it in a negative way. But I wonder...God gives us the gift of writing, especially writing for Him...but can writing (like anything else) become an idol while we miss life and the other gifts He gives us? I have a feeling that's not His intention.

    I'm speaking for myself here...because God has slowed me down this year.

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  18. Even your "non-writing" is beautiful writing. Love this...and I've said, " If I could have any (fill in the blank) girl in the whole world, I'd pick you!" many times to my girls.

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  19. I read this post on my phone while camping but it wouldn't let me leave a comment. Your words touched my heart deeply. I'm reviewing the choices I can 'control'. Those grandkids won't wait to grow up until other things are done!
    ~Adrienne~

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