Slowing the Pace

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Driving into the mall parking lot, I could not avoid the tailgating impatient driver behind me. When the opportunity arose, the gal floored it and sped to snag a parking spot. Obviously time was of the essence.

As I was walking behind Speedy Mom into the mall, she was giving her daughter an ear full. The girl of about 12 looked unfazed–walking at least 6 feet behind her mom. Once Mom entered the department store she was gone–to keep up I would have had to run.  Speedy Mom’s daughter maintained her walking pace.

I admit I’m guilty of overusing the words hurry up with my children, so the visual of mom and daughter hit home. In the rush, Speedy Mom never looked back to see where her daughter was. What I could not help think was how easy it would be for this daughter to completely walk away or for someone to distract her and lead her away–all while Speedy Mom blazed ahead.

How often in the speed of life do we go full force assuming all is well? How many of us have turned around just a second too late to realize things are not as we thought? A child who is struggling or maybe even being deceived by the world could be following behind us obediently. All along we thought we were leading and they were following. The hard truth is the enemy was watching too–and pounced.

As Moms, let’s not forget the little ones who may not be able to keep up.

Let’s face it, most of us know the pace we’ve set is much too fast even for us. Why should we think our children can keep up and not be affected?

While the daughter followed obediently today, when she reached the escalator she kept her distance from her mother. Mom ran off and left her. When it was within her power to catch up, the daughter chose not to–and Mom did not seem to notice.

Most of us can recite Deuteronomy 11:19 by heart. Yet, how often have we slowed down to read the pace at which the verse is written?  It is not teach your children as you race to ____ or a don’t forget to have a quick chat before bedtime. The pace is much slower.

The scripture uses the words talk, sit at home, walk, and lie down.  How often is just sitting at home a challenge?

I’ve purposefully left Deuteronomy 11:9 out of the printed text because it’s easy to speed read scriptures we’ve read a hundred times and miss the impact. Today indulge me for five minutes:

Get your Bible and sit down.
Turn to Deuteronomy 11:19 and read it at the pace it was written.
Soak in the words:  talk, sit at home, walk, and lie down.

Lord, help us moms lead our children–not run ahead of them. Forgive us, Lord, when the cares of this life have taken top priority. Let us have no greater joy than to hear that our children are walking in the truth (3 John 1:4). Help us  to walk with our children–teaching and training them in Your ways. Give us Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Keep us from distraction and busyness. Help us to watch ourselves so that we do not forget the things our eyes have seen or let them slip from our hearts, so that we can teach our children and our children’s children (Deuteronomy 4:9). Lead us in Your ways, Lord. And touch Speedy Mom and her daughter–You know their needs. Move in their lives in a magnificent and dramatic way. If they do not know you as Lord and Savior, convict them of their sin and lead them to Your saving knowledge. And Lord, help us all to slow down. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

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About Kellie Renfroe

Kellie and her husband Greg have been married 32 years and have four children ranging in age from 17 to 28. She co-founded Mentoring Moments for Christian Women in 2005. Kellie is a homeschooling mom who enjoys reading, studying the Bible, writing, photography, and learning how to cook.

Encouraged? Share this post...

Kellie Renfroe

Kellie and her husband Greg have been married 32 years and have four children ranging in age from 18 to 28. She co-founded Mentoring Moments for Christian Women in 2005. Kellie is a homeschooling mom who enjoys reading, studying the Bible, writing, photography, and learning how to cook.

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