In the midst of two teen camps and an upcoming trip to Boston for a wedding that pesky little check engine light came on in our car. It's the light that tells you you maintenance is required but the thing is (hopefully) there is nothing required for this car... it just has a faulty check engine light. In the lovely state of Tennessee emissions testing is required and of course cars don't pass that have check engine lights on. If only they let me explain to them "hey this car drives great, gets me where I need to go; oh yeah just has a light that seems to stay on". We would be okay but of course my registration for the car expires while we're out of town and needless to say life in youth ministry during June is a busy time so the day before we leave it has to be taken care of. Thankfully we know a guy who knows more about cars than we do and can temporarily fix the check engine light to get the car passed through emissions. With our quickly approaching trip I knew I only had today to get it done.
I woke up dreading this day and in a somewhat in a grumpy mood knowing that my plans would all be put aside to get the car taken care of. Little did I know I would experience a joy filled moment with my miracle baby Addyson. So I packed up a cooler with water and snacks, we put on our bathing suits, grabbed towels and headed to get the car fixed. Thankfully within walking distance from the auto shop is the new rec center that has a great pool. Since we been busy all summer and hadn't had a chance to try it out, today seemed to be the perfect time and I was determined not to let the car issue ruin our day. We dropped off the car and set out for the walk to the pool looking at passing cars trucks and going through a few bumps when the sidewalk ended. Addyson thought it was the greatest adventure but the true moment of joy didn't happen until we arrived at the pool. Of course being the OCD mama that I am I was a little nervous with all the kids splashing and playing with excitement and bummed that I couldn't find a shady spot for the stroller and our stuff. A dad and daughter made room for us and we quickly applied sunscreen and cooled off in the pool.
We played and Addyson splashed in excitement, with each moment as she saw other kids swimming underwater, she was determined to give it a try. So with her only experience of the mommy and me swim lesson that she took last year, a bunch of courage and my squeezing my nervous hand she dunked her little head under the water over and over again. This girl has no fear! How could she be my daughter? We swam and played together and then it happened. She dunked her head under and popped up with her goggle eyes she looked up with a huge grin on her face and smiled as she said "mama this is amazing". It was in that moment that God grabbed my attention this truly was an amazing moment, a fully present in the moment moment. A moment I could have missed if it wasn't for the check engine light coming on.
I could easily turn this post into a do you need to check your engine? is God your copilot? blog post. But if I'm really honest, I needed a mommy check engine light to come on and remind me that each moment and day I have with Addyson comes and goes so quickly. I have to cherish the unexpected things in life and recognize them through her eyes. Through her eyes my OCD monster backs down and I can realize how amazing life is. Sometimes the moment is ruined by getting water up your nose or the lifeguards whistle for adult swim but those are just moments to stop and restart or rest.
So this slightly sunburnt mama is cherishing the maintenance required light and is living fully present in this amazing moment.
