The Meaning in a Moment

By Tony Ross

Three years ago today, my mother passed away. My siblings and I always called her Ma; that's just who she was, down-to-earth and real. Throughout the day, I've been reflecting, pulling out old memories of Ma, considering their impact and meaning… and it occured to me that we don't always recognize the meaning in a moment until much later.

In the moment, when Ma was rocking a fussy little baby late at night, reading book after book to him, trying to calm him down… I wonder if she realized that she was instilling a deep love of reading, which translated into a love of writing, in that little boy.

In the moment, when life was hard and Ma was struggling to raise four kids on her own, she maybe didn't realize that each of us observed her work ethic, commitment, and determination, and would one day carry those things into our own families. 

In the moments shortly after my stepdad passed away, my sister and I were sitting with Ma in her living room. Ma got up, walked to the bay window with tears in her eyes, lifted her hands toward heaven, and quietly sang: “You give and take away/You give and take away/My heart will choose to say/Lord, blessed be Your name…”

Such a powerful demonstration of faith and trust in God. Ma took everything she felt, every bit of sorrow, and chose to look to Jesus. She made a painful moment a God moment. I've never forgotten it.

Moments, full of meaning.

Moments that could easily be seen as negative: nights with a fussing baby, the struggles of single parenting, the loss of someone deeply loved.

But each moment had a positive impact: on my life, on my siblings, on my relationship with God.

Ma's moments touched me.

Ma might never have known the impact that she had on my life. But I can't deny it.

The best way I can honor her memory today, and every day, is to live every moment with purpose. 

Who can I bless? Who can I encourage? Who can I lift up, or inspire, or help?

I may never see the result of anything I say or do, but if I sow that kind of seed, it's going to bear fruit: not for my glory, but for God's, because everything good comes from Him anyway.

Today, I encourage you to look back on the defining moments in your life. Try to look more closely at the good. It's there, and it's always good to remember it and be grateful.

Secondly, live with purpose and intention. We touch so many lives on a daily basis, just in the way we speak and act and live. There's no telling what kind of defining moment you might bring into someone's life through those simple things. It might only be one moment to you, one ordinary event in your life... but it could mean so much more to someone else.

We only have so many moments in our lives. Let's make the best of them.

Take care, and be blessed.