No matter the stage or age of your children, in a family, there is always something to look forward to.
You may have a newborn with a few young siblings running around.
Perhaps there are only teens in your house. Or, all your children may be grown and have flown the nest.
Through each stage, no matter the age, there is always so much to look forward to.
The first newborn.
His first smile. First tooth, first words, first steps.
First birthday.
As a family grows, we anticipate the arrival of each newborn.
Then there is the first day of school, or the firsts of reading mastery.
First tooth lost.
First time to ride a bicycle.
First meal cooked solo.
First job. First earnings.
First time driving and first car.
Graduation from high school.
First full-time job.
First solo travels abroad.
First college classes.
First date.
First wedding in the family.
First grandchild… And the cycle continues.
(And yes, there are a thousand other firsts!)
In all these changes, the entire family can celebrate each stage. As I look forward, there are innumerable things I am excited about. Even after our family has matured and there aren’t any children at home anymore, I look forward to a new stage, new challenges and new beginnings!
I perceive that there is nothing better than to be joyful and to do good as long as you live; also, that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil – this is God’s gift to man.
Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13
Do not waste your time wishfully thinking of the past or yearning to go back to a specific stage. Instead, look forward to what is yet to come. There is so much life to be lived, so many good things to yet experience!
Treasure what is before you. The past has given us wonderful gifts. The present is a gift. The future is a gift yet to be unwrapped.
In a family, (and life in general) there is always something to look forward to!