I Must Have Blinked!

   The grandfather clock chimed four times - it went unheeded by the two children playing checkers on the living room floor. Both were in deep concentration for their next move as if their lives depended on it. The clock's steady swinging pendulum made a gentle 'tick-tock' that was hardly noticeable, unless you were straining your ears to hear it. The children, oblivious to all time and sound, did not realize that the minutes of their childhood were slowly ticking away with each tick of the clock. Half an hour passed as swiftly as a minute when suddenly one of the children jumped up and shouted, "I won! I won!" 
   "I almost beat you that time," the other child said getting up. "But it doesn't matter. I will beat you next time. Hey, let's go play on our rock!"              
   Quickly the game was forgotten as the two children raced down the stairs and out the door, laughing and joking with nothing but fun on their minds.  It seemed as if they had all the time in the world, but they must have blinked!           
    As a child, you find yourself wishing you were older so you could be like the 'big' kids who always get to do things you are not allowed to do, and it seems like you will never grow up. Yet time has a way of pushing us through life, whether we like it or not. I am living proof of that because I was one of the children playing checkers on that floor that day. It seems like it was only yesterday when I was playing with my best friend and riding our bikes up and down our 'rock.' At that age I assumed being a teenager was a big deal, but it really was not when I finally arrived. There were new struggles to deal with and lessons to be learned. As a teen I assumed being in my twenties was a big deal. Yes, those were some great years because that was when I met my husband, got married, and had my children, but  along with it came more lessons and responsibilities to deal with. Now that I am approaching 40 in two years, I am noticing things about myself that are changing and I do not like it one bit. I remember when my parents turned 40, and I guess because parents make such a big deal about how they want to stay 39 forever, it makes an impression on the children. I often wondered what the big deal was, though 40 did seem old at the time. It does not seem old anymore, because it is me I am talking about. I am still the same girl inside. I still feel like I did when I was 18, yet the outside of me does not agree to that.  What happened over the years? And to top it off, I have a teenager! Where did the time go? I must have blinked!
    We officially finished up our 2012/13 school year and it feels good to be done. We made it through our homeschool year and looking back I wondered if we were going to make it, but God gives grace every moment we need it. We kept going and completed the year with a bang. (I think going to Lake Compounce in the pouring rain with the academy students can be considered a grand finale! Always an adventure!!!) Now I can say I am officially the mother of a high school student. JJ is heading into the 9th grade and to be honest, I did not take the advice that someone gave me about 'not blinking' because my children have grown up overnight! I blinked somewhere and now he stands eye to eye to me, though it will not be long before he will be towering over me. 
    Today is Heritage Baptist Academy's high school graduation. It was nine years ago that we started going to the church and the students graduating today were just starting their teen years. They seemed so little at the time, and my children were just babies then...what happened to the time? I must have blinked! 
   I hate the feeling of heavy eyelids when I am tired. Especially if I am driving and my eyes suddenly feel like they want to close. I must do all I can to keep them open by slapping my face, opening the window to let cold air in, or even put matchsticks in them just to keep them open!!! We must not grow weary as we travel down this road of life. Jesus said, "Watch and pray." The disciples grew tired and let their eyelids close at a very crucial moment in their life. My children are at a crucial time in their lives...the high school graduates are at a crucial moment in their lives...I am at a crucial moment in my life...I must not grow weary. I must keep watching and praying. God is calling me, right now, to open my eyes and keep them open. I must not to blink. Do not let the time get passed you either. Open your eyes and look around, and remember do not blink!    

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