This morning Everett and I were lying in bed, him babbling and me half-sleeping. My stomach growled and E giggled as I begrudgingly swung my legs off the bed. I noticed there was an orange tint to the room, and it took me a moment to realize there were orange and pink rays streaming through the cracks in the window blinds.
“Oooooh, Ev! There’s a pretty sunrise this morning! Let’s go look.”
I picked him up and he squealed with delight as we made our way to the window. I opened the blinds and saw the familiar view that I’ve come to know and love from our bedroom in the morning. Shades of orange, pink, yellow and grey filled the sky.
As I stood there quietly soaking in the sunrise, the morning, the beauty of it all, Everett was practically jumping out of my arms to grab the blinds. He wanted to touch them, hit them, or eat them (I wasn’t sure which).
My poor baby. He was missing it! As we stood there facing the magnificent sky, Everett couldn’t see the sunrise because he was too focused on the window blinds in front of him.
Aha.
Every day, God is teaching me more and more about what it means to be a parent.
Missing the sunrise is like missing the blessing of marriage because you’re too wrapped up in your wedding. It’s like missing the first time your baby smiles at you because you’re too wrapped up in folding laundry. It’s like missing the gift of grace because you’re too wrapped up in religion, or like missing out on Heaven because you’re too consumed with this life.
Missing the sunrise is like missing the whole point.
And yet…
That sun rises every morning. Certain, true, consistent. Another chance to see it, and another chance to get it right.
As a parent, I have plenty of hopes and dreams for Everett, but above all is my hope that he won’t miss the sunrise.
Have you ever been so distracted by a window blind that you missed a sunrise? Are you lost on this metaphor? That’s okay, I think I am too.
This is so beautiful and true, Ashlee. I needed to read this this morning. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Nope, I totally get the metaphor
You put it beautifully. I’ve been working on not missing out on things because I’m on my phone, on social media. Blinds/Instagram, same thing 
Jackie´s last [type] ..around here lately
What a beautiful metaphor, Ashlee! Most days, I’m lucky if I even notice the “blinds” in the first place!
What a great reminder to stop once in awhile for stillness and prayer. It’s so easy just to keep going, going, going.
Faith´s last [type] ..Stable Song
Not only is that a beautiful sunrise, it’s a beautiful metaphor. That really spoke to me today to get my eyes off the blinds. Thank you
Jess´s last [type] ..Hello 2013!
This is so great, Ashlee. Thanks for sharing such beautiful thoughts!
Kathleen´s last [type] ..In Progress
this is something that has been praying on my mind lately that the pressure to do everything {clean; do the laundry; ironing} is making me miss little moments with my baby girl. but i have decided to not miss the sunrise anymore as the blind will always be there while the sunrise is just for those few moments.
Lottie´s last [type] ..thoughts…
Much of my life had been spent missing the sunrise because of the blinds. Yesterday, I saw the most beautiful sunrise and I’ve been noticing other little things in life like that too. I loved the similarities you made to wedding planning, grace, and heaven. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Ashlee!
Malisa´s last [type] ..#WriteStuff Tweetup
I love this reminder. It’s like missing the miracle of the growing baby inside because you’re too focuses on pinterest nursery designs and paint colors. Thanks, Ashlee!
Dearest Ash –
Love this post. I can remember times when you and Garrett were little and waiting on me to finish cleaning to go to the park. I would catch myself and think, “What am I doing? The cleaning can and will wait – the kids are only going to be at this stage at this time – go to the park!”
Love you, Mom
It’s so serendipitous when you post things and I have that “Me too!” moment.
We just bought a house and got married and went on a 2 week Hawaiian honeymoon last year, which is wonderful, except it used up a lot our savings. Sometimes I can get sad when I see empty rooms in my house that desperately need decorating, or have to pass up on those new boots at Nordstrom, but I have to remember to be happy with all of the blessings and enjoy this fun time when it’s just the 2 of us starting our life out together. The rest of the “stuff” will come eventually, and someday I know I’ll miss this simpler time.
Love this, thanks for sharing!
Beautiful…
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