just call me peter pan

I'm growing up way too fast. Most people say that about their children. I definitely say that about mine, too, but the reality is this: if they are growing quickly, I am, too. While days seem to linger for my children just as they did for me when I was little, life seems to be passing so quickly for me now. I have sincerely prayed that God would slow time down for me or show me ways to savour it all. I find myself trying to hold on to moments that so quickly escape my grasp.

I am thinking about this topic because of a conversation Paul and I had last night. Lately, he has made the comment, "We are old". It has bothered me more than he realized. Don't get me wrong--it isn't vanity that is causing these statements to "get under my skin". I just don't want to start thinking like I'm old. Last night, I said I hoped that it snowed so Anderson could miss school. Paul said he hoped it didn't because it is more of a headache for him and his business. He chuckled as he sat there watching me stare at the television, hoping that they would announce at least a delay for school today. He said, "You're still such a kid. You get so excited about snow days and Christmas and Disney World..." I interrupted him, "And you are not." He smiled, "Well, we just balance each other out." I quipped, "No, we are not supposed to balance each other in this area. I'm supposed to influence you to always be young at heart." We both laughed about it, but the truth is--I think we should all stay young at heart and in our minds because it is inevitable that our bodies won't. Jesus said, ""I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." There's something about our childhood that God wants to protect and preserve in all of us. And think about it. What other time in life is your ability to trust and believe the greatest?

So, I've purposed in my heart to never fully leave childhood behind. Just call me Peter Pan. But unlike Peter, I'm going to grow in wisdom and my body, unfortunately, will continue to age. I will, however, be clinging to my childlikeness with all of my strength. I'm still going to stare with wide-eyed wonder at Christmas lights, I'm going to start counting down the days until Christmas the day after Halloween, and I'll always be waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve. I vow to get crocodile tears in my eyes each time I walk in Cinderella's castle, to ride Splash Mountain at least three times in a row while screaming my lungs out during the big drop, and I will most assuredly sing, "When You Wish Upon A Star" right along with the Disney Characters after a day at the Magic Kingdom. I promise to continue to love snow days no matter how much they inconvenience us, to go sledding even on a thin layer of snow, and to make a big batch of snow cream every time we have a decent snowfall. And most of importantly, I promise to remember to see God through my children's eyes--knowing and truly believing He can do anything, just 'cause He's God.

(Notice: The opening lines to Peter Pan must now be altered to read, "All children, except two, grow up.)