Moments that will Never Happen Again

Family vacations aren’t really about the beach.

Or the pool.

Or the restaurants.

Those are simply the backdrop.

The real gift is something far more valuable.

Presence.

This past week at the shore, I found myself watching our family create dozens of moments that had never existed before and never will again.

Jonathan eagerly told me everything he had already done that morning and everything he planned to do that afternoon.

Somewhere in the conversation, he made sure to include another trip to the corner store because, as he confidently reminded me, “Mom Mom buys me toys there.”

Christopher introduced me to a game called No Mercy Uno. Somewhere between laughing and trying to keep up, I discovered just how thoughtful, competitive, strategic, and even creatively flexible he can be when interpreting the rules to get rid of a few extra cards.

Augustino simply wanted to be included.

Whether it was learning a new game or taking a walk together while his mom and my daughters quietly slipped away for coffee, he was happiest just being part of whatever was happening.

Then there was Indie Mae.

She has a remarkable way of inviting you into her world. Every toy becomes our toy. Every discovery is meant to be shared. She simply loves being with people.

And watching Avila Mae and Lily Mae, born just days apart in January, has been a beautiful reminder that God never repeats Himself.

Avila is pure energy.

Joy seems to overflow from every movement she makes.

Lily Mae is full of smiles and conversation.

She lights up the moment someone enters the room and seems happiest simply interacting with those around her.

The older I get, the more I realize something.

Children aren’t primarily asking for entertainment. They’re asking for presence.

They respond to people because that’s how God created them.

And perhaps…so do we.

Scripture tells us in Psalm 46:1,

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Notice the word present.

God doesn’t simply send His love.

He gives us His presence.

He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden.

He traveled with Israel through the wilderness.

Jesus became Emmanuel ... “God with us.”

And today His Spirit continues to dwell with those who belong to Him.

Presence has always been God’s greatest gift.

One of my favorite moments each year happens on Father’s Day.

I write one letter to my entire family; to my daughters, my sons by marriage, and each of my grandchildren.

Within that one letter, I take time to speak personally to every one of them.

I share how they blessed me during the past year and then write my deepest prayer and blessing for the year ahead.

This year, as I read it aloud, I watched something beautiful happen.

Each waited with anticipation for their name.

Later, one of my daughters told me that her husband looks forward to hearing what I write about him in this letter every year because of how deeply it encourages him.

Why?

Because every heart longs for a father’s blessing.

Whether we are five or fifty-five, something inside us still hopes to hear someone say,

“I see you.”

“I know you.”

“I’m thankful for you.”

“I’m proud of who you’re becoming.”

Isn’t that exactly what our Heavenly Father has done for us?

Jesus heard these words before He ever began His public ministry in Matthew 3:17, where God, the Father, says:

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Before Jesus performed a miracle …

Before He preached a sermon …

Before He healed a single person …

He received His Father’s blessing.

Maybe that’s why moments together matter so much.

Every conversation.

Every walk.

Every card game.

Every shared toy.

Every smile.

Every blessing spoken over someone we love.

They’re reminders of the God who chooses to be present with His children and delights in calling us His own.

Vacations eventually end.

Children grow.

Schedules fill up again.

But the moments we create through our presence often become the memories that shape a lifetime.

So this week, don’t simply make memories.

Be present enough to notice the ones God is already creating.