Playing in shaving cream brings Kate unbelievable amounts of happiness. Her face of unbridled joy is one I long to see as often as possible. Regrettably, I've been making choices lately to do too many "good" things that I've been too busy to create opportunities to catch many glimpses like this one in either of our lives. So this weekend I've been asking myself how I can simplify my life in order to have time for those shaving cream kind of joys.
Last week I heard someone say: God's will is revealed to us when we look up, not around. As that truth clicked through my brain, I realized I've chosen to focus too intensely on the horizontal needs and activities surrounding me and neglected proper vertical attention when it comes to the direction I've been designed to go. I only have so much time in a day and only so many days on this earth, so I need to accept the fact I CANNOT do it all and so strive to prioritize my schedule to more accurately reflect my goals.
My heart beams when I remember the Kate's endless giggling as she played in that shaving cream. She had it smeared all over herself, the table, the wall behind her, and even her beloved Red Sox hat - but I've been built in such a way that watching her joy in those crazy, messy exploratory moments as she grows and learns new things is what brings me unparalleled joy and a sense of fulfilling my purpose. It sounds terribly trite and old fashioned, but I was truly made to be a wife and mother - so I need to manage my time in such a way that allows plenty of room for me to be more purposeful in those roles rather than rushing through the bare necessities with whatever is left in me at the end of a long, hectic day.
After coming to that understanding, God made the path of how to simplify my outside our family obligations very clear to me and today I took my first steps in that direction. Change is always challenging and a bit uncomfortable for me in the beginning (especially when it affects others), but in the long run I have confidence it will be more than worth the sacrifice... so I challenge you to roll up your sleeves, take the plunge into whatever your shaving cream joy may be, and enjoy!
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and making us all think.
you made me cry (perhaps it's the lack of sleep!). So true though. Today we did nothing but have fun at home together..that is what these precious SHORT years are all about.
Amy & Kate - my "shaving cream joy" would be to spend time with two of my favorite girls. I miss you SOOOOOOO much!
BeeBee
Good for you! And for Kate - and for Cody. I applaud your prioritizing skills! Your sacrifice will be seen for years, years & years to come. Way to go!
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