I'm Going To Be a Princess

It was the sweetest little voice. That’s all I could hear at the time because I was busy looking for a cake mix in the aisle of Walmart, and she was behind me. I was on a mission to get out of there, so I tried not to pay much attention to the conversation, but it was beckoning me anyway. This precious little girl, in her squeaky little 3-4 year-old voice, was explaining that she was going to be a princess for Halloween. Excitedly, she went on about how the costume would look; it was going to have this color here and that bow there. It’s then I couldn’t help myself and I turned see who she was passionately talking to because whoever it was, wasn’t saying a word in response. She was with her Dad, because at some point she tried to get his attention and said, “Daddy.” He was busy looking at something he was likely to purchase. I could tell he had a lot on his mind. I had a flashback to the time when my children were that age. It felt like I had gone back in time, and I was the one rushing around trying to do too many things at once and missing the moment of my own daughter’s excitement over a holiday. I gave the precious soul a big smile and turned back around to look for the cake mix. Big tears filled my eyes as I realized how much I missed the times when my girls were young. You see, the cake mix was to send to my daughter at college so she and her friends could make her cake since she would be gone on her birthday. I wanted so badly to turn back around and tell the young father to soak in this moment, to soak in his daughter's tiny little body, to soak in that precious, squeaky voice, but I refrained. He probably would have taken me for a crazy person giving that sentiment with tears in my eyes and breaking down in the middle of Walmart.
 
As life is passing us by at the speed of light, try to live in each day the best you can. Try to soak in the moments-even the ones that are painful or less desirable. Try to feel the pleasure, the pain, the calmness, the storm, because without one, we can’t have or understand the other. Remember that this very day is the only one we have and that ultimately, this is not our home. In our real home, there is no pain, no anxiety, no depression, no illness, no conflict, no tears, and no death. Only joy and peace and love. Golden streets and jeweled walls. Praise and singing with the angels in the presence of our Lord.
 
Find joy in this day, my friends, in whatever way you find joy. Don’t forget to tell your loved ones that they are dear to you, and you love them. Leave a beautiful mark on this world. Be the person who lifts others up, serve with all your heart, believe that there is still good in the world, and love so deeply it can be seen at a great distance. Talk to your Father daily. And unlike the little girl, you don’t have to tell Him how you are going to pretend to be a princess (or prince); you already are one. His throne room is always open and He’s never too busy to listen.
 
His Princess,
Celeste
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer…” 1 Peter 3:12