Running out of time.

Time to wake up and see.

See how life is passing by so rapidly.

Rapidly breathing from the weight of the world on your chest.

Chest compressions begin to kick in.

In the end, do you want to be remembered as giving God your very best?

Wake up.

Realize how short this life is.

Is this how you really want to live?

Live as if each day is a quiz.

Quiz? Why yes.

Yes, life can be such a difficult test.

Test. Testing one, two, three.

Wake up.

Each day you get a choice to make.

Make sure to choose carefully.

Carefully consider each step you take.

Take the wrong path, disaster will follow.

Follow the One who is the only Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Life with Him is much more satisfying.

Wake up.

Don’t be fooled by the false light.

Light your path with His Word and He will lead you out.

Out of the darkness of the night.

Night can cause you to trip, stumble, and fall.

Fall into the wrong hands, like the evil one.

One, two, three.

Wake up.

-Rose

Wake Up. As I was writing this poem, I was filled with various emotions. I’m dealing with a difficult situation with my oldest daughter, who is 19. I mean it could be worse, but it’s a new level that I have not experienced before with my kids. As they get older and become of age to make their own choices and decisions, I have less and less say. I can’t live or run their life for them. I can only give them the best advice possible, share my experiences, and pray for them. I know what my oldest is going through because I lived it. I lived it enough for her not to have to, but like I said, they will choose their own path. Our jobs as parents is to raise them the best we can and allow them to fly. Praying that they fly in the right direction.

As I’m warning her about the consequences, I am hit with flashbacks of others warning me about my choices in the past. Choices that led me down a few dark roads. Roads of broken hearts, broken bones, depression and so much more. Roads that I’m trying to warn my Ray of Sunshine about. But all the wrong roads I took eventually led me to the right one. I thank God for saving me when He did because I could have been dead. The first thought that comes to mind when I think about these warning signs is the music video by TLC, “Waterfalls.” The visual of the mom trying to stop her son from meeting up with some drug dealers, which would ultimately lead to his death, but she is invisible to him. The scene is then reversed with the mom walking down the street carrying groceries. Her son is now trying to get her attention and hug her, but he is invisible to her because he is gone. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the video or heard the song. The chorus resonated with me as I just watched the video a moment ago:

“Don’t go chasing waterfalls. Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to. I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all. But I think you’re moving too fast.”

The entire song is bringing about awareness of serious topics and the consequences of our actions. I don’t want my daughter to chase these “waterfalls” in her life. She’s definitely moving too fast and I know she’s going to continue to do what she wants. That’s the part that hurts. It hurts because I know that nothing good comes from it. Her thoughts are irrational. I don’t want to push her away, so I feel like my hands are tied. I have to let her live her life, go through the storms, and be there for her when she comes running back. This poem is about wanting her to wake up. Wake up and see that life isn’t a fairy tale. It’s real. Wake up and see that “she is more precious than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Wake up and see that she is God’s beautiful masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). Wake up and see that beauty isn’t what’s on the outside, but rather within (1 Peter 3:3-4).

The scriptures say that the “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7). As a young girl I was never taught all the things I’m telling my daughters now. No one warned me about life as a teenager. I winged it. I didn’t wake up until I was 33 (😑😑😑). I remember being the fool. I didn’t want to listen to anyone’s advice. I lacked discipline and self control. I did whatever I wanted to do because “I’m a grown woman.” I definitely didn’t have the fear of the LORD. Fear meaning reverence and respect. Not actual fear. Not allowing God to lead your life will lead you into the darkness. I know. I’ve been there. It’s a place I don’t want my children to experience or anyone for that matter, but especially them.

I will continue to pray for my Ray of Sunshine. I will continue to love her in all the mistakes she will make because I am no angel myself. I fall short everyday. But I have hope in Jesus, who is my Rock. His goodness, grace, and mercy follows me each day. He sustains me. He forgives me. He continues to love me even when I mess up. I really don’t deserve it, but I’m thankful and blessed. I will do the same for her and continue to remind her that she is loved by the Most High God until she wakes up and comes running back into His loving arms and mine.

✝️“But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.5.13-14.NLT