Hi, I’m back after a lovely break all refreshed & looking forward to our times together my friend.

Hubby & I have enjoyed some lovely times during our break, we celebrated our wedding anniversary & had some wonderful family visits (I’ll share more in coming posts).

Today, I’d like to share a wonderful day I had recently that gave cause for some deep reflection. But first grab you’re favourite cuppa, a treat & get comfy.

I’m having an English Breakfast today with a home baked slice of gf Date loaf. What are you having?Let’s begin…

The Question

I enjoyed a surprise Mother’s Day gift recently, time at the Theatre with my daughter to watch a play by my favourite Author & Playwright!

It was such a delight to spend time with her out of her busy life, to see some excellent acting & enjoy a delicious lunch together afterwards, a rare treat for me!

Where I was asked the following question;

“How did you handle motherhood with advancing your career Mum?” she is trying to juggle both at the moment with teens living at home.

It was an interesting question, one I haven’t thought of in many years. 

During the busy years of raising her & her sisters, I had studied to gain my Degree, post grad qualifications for registration (certification) & established my own Counselling Consultancy.

However, since Chronic health conditions arrived, one by one those faded into the background.

First having to give up the Consultancy, then go on a ‘Sabbatical’ from clinical counselling & finally having to let go of my clinical registration & accept the fact that Chronic health issues demand early retirement.

It was a tough progression & process to go through, one that I hadn’t seen coming but one that came with much insight & blessing along the way.

And highlighted what really matters at the end of the day!

The A-ha moments in life…

Have you ever had those inexplicable moments in life that cause you to really ‘get it’ with those forever becoming embedded in your mind?

I remember one such moment many years ago, when I was the Consultant for a Regional Hospital & Aged Care Facility while living out West, the Head Medical Officer asked me to go to the bedside of a patient who was in her last days & most unsettled.

I sat myself in the chair beside her to hear her story, you see she was the last in her family. As she had lost her mother at age 12, with her & her older sister taking on the running of the household from that time while their father ran the farm.

Her & her sister had never married but looked after their father until his death & then she looked after her sister until sadly she also had passed away from cancer a decade beforehand.

All this lady wanted in those last days was a family member beside her, commenting that she was really missing her Mama, who she hadn’t had for 80 years, my heart went out to this dear lady.

But I felt very privileged to be there to witness her introduction to the One who never leaves us fill her heart with His peace & comfort that passes all understanding.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4: 7 NIV

When I came into work the following week, I was informed by the nursing staff that she had been very settled & had passed away peacefully in her sleep, Praise God!

The greatest A-ha moment for me through that experience was that at the end of the day we desire our family beside us in our last days not accomplishments, not qualifications, not careers, not stuff but the people we dearly love.

The Answer

The answer I gave to the question above;

At the end of the day family is the most important, so while careers enable us to give our children the lifestyle that we so desire for them, it’s no substitute for quality time with them.

I know that it’s a fine balancing act & although I did try, I didn’t always get it right. It’s one that definitely needs the Lord’s insight & wisdom along the way.

Putting precious time into each relationship within our family is all important whether they are children, teens or adults they are very precious indeed.

And of course each relationship will look entirely different to the other, especially with teens & adults, as you’ll have some who are far more independent then others, enjoying or needing their own space most of the time.

You may also have those who need to talk things out to navigate life or quieter ones who don’t like sharing their stuff but need time to process life & that’s okay!

You see respect for one another goes a long way in a family, especially as to where everyone is fairing in their particular season in life & it’s different for each individual.

So let us always stay connected with our loved ones in some form & spend quality time with them when possible.

And let us not place our expectations on the relationships we have but instead appreciate the uniqueness of each individual & respect one another’s boundaries.

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

Or in Prayer

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