Abundance in simplicity
Queen of Our Castle always has such wise words to share. This particular post today was so convicting to me. As I commented on it, it really echoes my heart right now.
The Lord has been burdening me with the need to really invest in Kathrynne. Yes, I love her to pieces. Yes, I pray with her, sing to her, read to her. But sometimes I do it, I confess, because it is the next thing on our schedule. It is what I am "supposed" to do. Which means that I'll hurry through our singing, or hurry through reading, so that I can mentally cross it off my list and feel like I've done my part to invest in my daughter's life today.
I want to make time to take time to do all the wonderful things I'd always dreamed I would do with my children someday. Life is so short. I don't want to look back at the end of my life and have regrets. I only have one chance at being my daughter's mother.
What are you doing today to invest in your children? How are you finding abundance in simplicity? What areas are you seeking to purge from your life so that you live more effectively and with less regret?
The Lord has been burdening me with the need to really invest in Kathrynne. Yes, I love her to pieces. Yes, I pray with her, sing to her, read to her. But sometimes I do it, I confess, because it is the next thing on our schedule. It is what I am "supposed" to do. Which means that I'll hurry through our singing, or hurry through reading, so that I can mentally cross it off my list and feel like I've done my part to invest in my daughter's life today.
I want to make time to take time to do all the wonderful things I'd always dreamed I would do with my children someday. Life is so short. I don't want to look back at the end of my life and have regrets. I only have one chance at being my daughter's mother.
What are you doing today to invest in your children? How are you finding abundance in simplicity? What areas are you seeking to purge from your life so that you live more effectively and with less regret?
posted by Crystal Paine at 10:30 AM
7 Comments:
We are going to the North Carolina Museum of natural Sciences.it is free and I could be at home doing laundry or vacuuming!!
Since I lost my mom when I was 5 years old and my first step mom at 13,I spend lots of time with my children.They are almost 12 and 15 so the time is way different then 10 years ago.
when i find myself hurrying througt the day, i try to take find to review this little essay. (I know it's long, but it always puts my mind and soul back on the path!)
To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur to us only when we are not doing them. Once we are standing in front of the sink with our sleeves rolled up and our hands in warm water, it is really not bad at all. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to go and have dessert, the time will be unpleasant, not worth living. That would be a pity, for every second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles!
Each thought, each action in the sunlight of awareness becomes sacred. In this light, no boundary exists between the sacred and the profane. It may take a bit longer to do the dishes, but we can live fully, happily, in every moment. Washing the dishes is at the same time a means and an end- that is, not only do we do the dishes in order to have clean dishes, we also do the dishes just to do the dishes and live fully each moment while washing them.
If I am incapable of washing dishes joyfully, if I want to finish them quickly so I can go and have dessert and a cup of tea, I will be equally incapable of doing these things joyfully. With the cup in my hands, I will be thinking about what to do next, and the fragrance and the flavor of the tea, together with the pleasure of drinking it, will be lost. I will always be dragged into the future, never able to live in the present moment. The time of dishwashing is as important as the time of prayer!
Crystal,
Kathyrnne would be benefitting far less if she was in a daycare facility. We all have areas that we need to improve in. That is what challenges us and motivates us in life. If we were perfect parents, what else would there be to strive for?
My kids are to the age where the world (read "the church", that is my world) is telling me I should have them doing other things, and I should be doing separate things.
I believe God is calling us to start some sort of home-based enterprise, so that we can have more time together in these years.
You can expect to continue to have us around here, as I need quite abit of social encouragement. :)
I loved what you said Cystal!
One of my biggest struggles is that I have such a hard time enjoying and focusing on the task at hand unless everything is in it's place - a difficult feat when there are 5 little ones about :-).
I wrote on simplicity recently...
http://danielle.tippy.name/106/on-simplicity-in-the-home
You can check out my blog to see what we have been doing to enrich our lives, maybe not the cleanest way to do it, but hey, they really enjoyed it! The bath tub needs scrubbing now!
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Martha/
Good thoughts. I am still searching for ways to invest in my child and he is 13. I want to be sure that he is getting the best of me. Sometimes I fall short of the ideal, but I keep looking towards God for His direction and try not to follow my own agenda.
Christy :)
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