I needed a reminder this morning, so I thought I’d remind you too! Don’t miss life waiting for it to happen! Do we, all too often, miss life, waiting for something else? The next activity, the next appointment, the next break? And we have this false idea that life is a certain kind of moment or event.
Life is in the ordinary
But most of life is composed of ordinary moments. How often do I not only miss those, but even ruin them? If I’m too busy preparing for the next thing, then it’s easy to get interrupted in the now. And interruptions cause frustrations; and frustrations cause words and attitudes that do not reflect the kindness of God.
What if stopping to tie a shoe–for the 6th time, was something I saw, not as an interruption, but an opportunity to stop what I’m doing, smile at my little one, and while I’m tying, speak into his heart: “I hope you know how glad I am that you live here.”
Or a potty training moment was seen as a privilege, sharing a milestone in my child’s life–something not everyone gets to do.
Changing how I see interruptions
What if all those “interruptions” are not interruptions at all, but God’s divine appointments in the ordinary, to test my heart, to see if my treasure is where it should be?
How many smiles are left “unsmiled“? How many sunsets left unshared? How many hurt feelings left unsoothed? Hugs left unhugged? Questions left unanswered?
Consider Jesus’ last act
I’ve said it before, but Jesus’ last “spectacular” act, was anything but spectacular. But spectacular does not equal important. “Wash each other’s feet.” Do the small things. Willingly. Happily. With a heart of love.
Oh that I would remember that as I pour myself into this Mother Work!
“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19
To get a completely different perspective of the incredible mother-work you do, grab my book, When Motherhood Feels Too Hard. I wrote it because motherhood is too important to not give it our best. And sometimes, a mom just needs a friend to get with her in the trenches and help her out. That’s what it will do.
Thank you! I appreciate this refreshment. My youngest of 7 is mostly potty trained, but still in the “can you wipe my bottom” phase… So thank you for the different perspective on the potty training milestone! 😅 Besides that, my other children need to see me happy to serve and not roll my eyes as I wonder why he always goes at the most inopportune times – like when I finally get a chance to sit and eat or read. 😌 I definitely want to reflect the Lord and not my selfish self.
I needed to hear(read) this today. Thank you!
I’m so glad it helped Amanda!