Be Present

The smell of hot metal, leaking fuel, a crying baby.  The teenage boys sprang from their cars to check on the other cars and make sure everyone was okay.  One of them called 911 worried about the baby who was safely nestled into her car seat and properly strapped in.  Calls went out to parents and loved ones who arrived on the scene as emergency vehicles arrived.  Everyone was okay.  Minor abrasions and some soreness were to be expected.

I watched as the teenage boys fell into the open arms of loving parents both with a sense of fear and relief—fear that they had somehow done something wrong and relieved that their parents had shown up to care for them.  One of the boys told me later that he felt safe and like everything was going to be okay when his dad wrapped him in his protective embrace.  These parents showed up.  They were present.  No judgment, no questions.  Just present in the moment.

Being present as a parent can be really difficult.  Your mind races with what could have happened, what you want to say and questions about how this moment came to be.  It takes powerful intention to be present in the moment and just BE.  Our kids need us to be present—without distractions.  They need us to show up and accept them both in their glory and in their brokenness.

This week I challenge you to be present with your family and other loved ones.  Put away your mobile devices, stop thinking and just BE.  I bet you will enjoy some beautiful and unexpected moments.