As I begin to grow older there is one thing that the Lord is constantly putting on my heart.
And that is to really slow down and throw my whole self into raising this large, beautiful family of mine.
As a young single woman, I traveled, had fun, chased after dreams and thought I had lived it up but in the end there was still something missing--the fun brought an emptiness that I could not explain, and all that remained in my wild heart was that I truly wanted to settle down and have a family.
And as I got married, found the Lord, and had that family I sometimes felt I was in a rush. A rush to do this and that, to be in a hurry because everyone else was, a rush to be.
And then we got so busy doing. Doing, doing, doing. Not so much outdoor activities, but did you know that you can busy even around the home that you forget the important things? Doing can be good and is often needed but we have to be careful not to push aside the important things.
But now that I am older, all I really want to do is slow down. Take life slow and easy and really experience hands on this journey of life. To kiss a cheek, to wipe a face, to hug a heart and encourage it. To stay home and to build the walls here and make the foundation firm.
(A gift given to me by oldest daughter, Janai-- photo taken by my second daughter, Naomi)
There is so much a mom can do when her heart is in the task. When she is not rushed for time, when her heart is rooted in her home. She can slow down time, it doesn't have to escape her but she needs to be able to muster up the strength and courage to protect it and be wise enough to enjoy it.
In our home lately, we have been spending much time around the table..
slowly stirring cream into the coffee,
smiles,
laughter
and hearts sharing with one another.
Playing, reading, talking, exploring...
I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Don't let the worries of today rob you of slowing down.
Return back to your homes.
Soon the tender years of your children will be behind you, make sure you have no regrets.
Don't miss the gift in front of you.
(My little son, Christian)
15 comments:
That was beautiful, June--God has forced me to slow down a lot over the last two years--it has been good for me and our family.
Love,
Rhonda
Ah yes, I was reading something from another blog, about the statistics about technology and its impact on family interaction. It really pulled at my heart strings as I realized though i so spend time with my children I try to do it on "my time" rather than God's time. There are times when we are all caught up in our own zones in different areas of the house. No one is talking, but deeply engrossed in the screen before their face. I am endeavoring to spend more time embracing the moments we have with one another, rather than rushing from one thing to the next, so I have can feel like i can have time to myself. There is a season for everything under heaven, One day I will have more time than I will know what to do with : )
I really needed to be reminded of this. Thank you!!!
Rhonda,
I am embracing it wholeheartedly, Rhonda, and loving it. I really wish the whole world would just slow down right along side me!
Many blessings...
Dear Chantel,
I agree--the gadgets and electronic toys will be gone one day and everyone will wonder where their precious time with their children went. I hope more moms realize this before it is too late.
Many blessings...
Beautifully said! And So Very True!
My summer has flown by in a Rush of BUSYNESS and I just want time to SLOW DOWN!! My children are growing up way too fast!
Dear Busymomof10,
I can relate--summer has seemed to fly by here too (and we weren't even trying to rush it!)!
Praying for us all to have slower days. :)
Many blessings...
Thank you, June. That was so precious and your boy is adorable. I sometimes wish I could hold the clock still as I see how quick my life is flying by and my young adults...werent they just babes yesterday? Love, Bambi
This was a lovely post, June!
I hope you are having a great weekend!
♥Joy
I've been feeling this SO much lately, too. And our busy-ness is ALL at home. "Slow down, enjoy your children," I keep hearing. I guess I needed to hear it again through my eyes, not 'just' my Spirit. ;) Thank you!
Beautiful post. And so very true. I need to slow down more, rock my teething baby less impatiently, make more time for my toddler, and play those monopoly games the girls are after, but I rarely have time for.
Beautifully written. This very thing has been on my heart recently as well.
Lovely and edifying, as always, June.
When our now 13 yo ds was diagnosed with Asperger's 5 years ago (but we had been having issues with him since he was 5 yo)...it was really a wake up call...there are so many things we can't do, places we can't take him. At first it was hard, but I see it as a blessing in disguise.... I was forced to pare down life to the essentials.
Chantel- beautifully said..."one day I will have more time than I know what to do with"
At our former church, the pastor's (working) wife was a whirling dervish of nervousness and activity, and it was very unsettling. She talked to me exactly once in our 9 months at that church.
Now at our new church, the pastor's wife is a keeper at home, a true blessing with that quiet and gentle spirit that makes you feel like she has all the time in the world for each person. It's so nice to be the recipient of that, and I try to remember this is my own mothering....
Many blessings,
Nanci
I feel the same way sister. I have two boys, one that is 18 and one that is 3! I have definitely been blessed and slowed down to really enjoy my little one's everyday.
That's beautiful, I remember my sister.
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