Time Stand Still

Have you ever been in a season of life that’s so tough that you just want every day to pass quickly? Or, the place that you’re in is so busy that your life feels like it’s on autopilot? We’ve all been in one or both of these places in life. We’re rushing, rushing, rushing. Missing out on so much. And that’s just not fair. Life is beautiful. It’s meant to be savored – ups, downs, and in-betweens.  We should want time to stand still.

One of the seasons of my life that I hoped time would pass quickly was when we were trying to have children. I focused my thoughts and actions on a few days of the month every month. For years. We weren’t able to have kids, but don’t feel bad for us. I’m at peace now, and we love our life. I wrote about it. And this season in my life is one in which I have to fight being on autopilot. Bobby and I work more than forty hours weekly and are caring for our aging parents. Plus, we’ve started a new adventure in drag racing this year. It’s tough not to spend our days with our heads down, merely trying to get everything done.

I’ve been pondering this phenomenon we all share – this thing we do when we’re living but not mindfully. I didn’t realize it then, but when I was trying to get pregnant, I missed that feeling of wanting time to stand still because things were so good. I didn’t focus on The Now. I wished my life away. But what about those moments that we don’t want to pass by? They will if we’re not careful.

I’m learning that one way to capture these memorable moments, large and small, is to be mindful of them. So, I’ve started documenting them.

Here’s what I have so far.

—I laid down every detail and worry about having the perfect wedding day two days before The Day. That day was slow and easy, and I remember every single delicious minute of it.

—I was on a late-night run to the ladies’ room at the race track after a long, sweaty day. On the way back, I impulsively steered the golf cart to the finish line and sat alone, enjoying everything about that moment. In the quiet, I realized that while I had started this adventure as a Racer’s Wife, I fell in love with the sport, and consequently, I became a Racer.

—The other morning, as I got into my car to drive to work, I saw a leaf in the drink holder. I reached down to throw it out the window, and my husband stopped me saying, “I picked that up off the driveway for you. It’s in the shape of a heart.” I hung it up in front of my office window today to remind me to be grateful for a husband who loves me and gives me heart-shaped leaves on a Tuesday morning.

—My Mom and I had a great moment this week, laughing hard at a dumb crack I made. It felt like old times before my Dad got sick.

—Bobby and I have what we call Sacred Saturdays. I think the one I took on the road was the one I didn’t want to end.

—This past weekend, we celebrated Bobby’s birthday at one of our favorite places, The Fallout Shelter. They host a monthly Rock and Blues Jam. It’s the first place I found the courage to sing in public. This past Saturday goes down in my history as the most fun I’ve ever had singing in public. Family and friends were there to celebrate with Bobby, and the musical talent in the room was hot. But, I felt at home there, relaxed enough to belt out my songs without worrying that I wasn’t good enough.

What are the moments that you are grateful for? When you’re enjoying the moment, perhaps you could think about it a little more. Wouldn’t it be nice to stretch it a few minutes longer…make time stand still?  And in thinking about it that way, you just did.

But don’t listen to me. Here’s what others have to say.

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand STILL, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today…The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13–14

If you’re a parent, you’ll relate to this mother who wants to make time stand still. I Wish I Could Make Time Stand Still – You’re Growing Up Too Fast