Voor jy die geleentheid misloop

Jou kinders sal vinnig grootword en voor jy dit besef, sal die geleenthede om tyd saam met hulle deur te bring, blitsvinnig minder word. Tans wil hulle soveel tyd en aandag moontlik van jou hê, maar daar sal ook ‘n tyd kom wat hulle dit nie meer sal wil hê nie.

Hier is ‘n onrusbarende gedig deur Alice Chase, getiteld ‘To My Grown-Up Son’: ‘My hands were busy through the day. I didn’t have much time to play the little games you asked me to. I didn’t have much time for you. I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook, but when you’d bring your picture book and ask me, please, to share your fun, I’d say, ‘A little later, son.’ I’d tuck you in all safe at night, and hear your prayers, turn out the light, then tiptoe safely to the door. I’d wish I’d stayed a minute more. For life is short, and years rush past, a little boy grows up so fast. No longer is he at your side, his precious secrets to confide. The picture books are put away, there are no children’s games to play, no good night kiss, no prayers to hear. That all belongs to yesteryear. My hands once busy, now lie still, the days are long and hard to fill. I wish I might go back and do the little things you asked me to.’

Toe Josef sy seuns geneem het om sy bejaarde pa, Jakob, te gaan besoek, het Jakob gesê: ‘…Bring hulle na my toe. Ek wil hulle seën’ (Genesis 48:9 NLV). Ma, Pa, raak betrokke voor jy die geleentheid misloop.

Sielskos: Jer 25-27; Matt 24:1-14; Ps 102:12-17; Spr 15:3