Slow Down
I'm amazed at the number of gifts God allows me to have each day. Truly, my daily life with my family is so rich in goodness. Slow down, slow down, SLOW DOWN....I've been attempting this for a good year now. As mentioned in my last post, it's still a struggle. As a mom of 3 little ones, my to-do list can be long. I can easily busy myself every second of the day. But too often the pressure of my "to-do's" can leave me scurrying around, not fully emmersed in my moments...always looking ahead to what's next. Women are great multi-taskers, right? Yes, but I'm seeing the downside to this quality. Does it keep me from fully engaging, missing what's before me? Yes. As I'm journaling my gifts, I feel as if I'm able to relish more fully the things happening before me. It's slowing me down. I'm loving it. I'm determined to get it, this slowing down thing.
Here are some beautiful moments that have been enjoyed from slowing down recently...
Parading Band Trio with mixing bowls and chopsticks, costume time abounding, and Family Time playing with Photo Booth (a personal favorite...it left me rolling, as you can see. I'm pretty sure Levi turned into Gollum and Judah became a buff 18 year old football player. Hilarious.)
How's your pace? I'm becoming more and more convinced I have to fight pretty violently to slow down. Join me, friends. How could it impact your days?
(Artwork credit for my print: thewheatfield Shop @ Etsy.com)
To-lists are so hard for me. I love them and I hate them. I'm so task driven that I get so caught up in them too that I miss what's happening around me. And I only have one little man running around!
ReplyDeleteI've started to right daily to-dos for the week on our menu board. They have simple things like "clean the house" and "Jesus time". I intentionally included the things that I would normally do so that I don't make my list so long that it's overwhelming or that I'm so caught in it that I miss the rest of the day...so far, it's worked. I feel so much more accomplished when I know that I've spent good quality time with Gideon and still balanced taking care of the home.
Shw, long comment. Sorry! :)
yay for a victory in this, Holly! I like the simplicity of it. After all, will we really look back and say, "Man, I'm so grateful my house was always in good shape when the kids were growing up." So not practical with little ones. And not worth the exchange! By His grace, we will get this!
DeleteP.S. the pic of Clara melts my heart! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe your heart is ready for a girl???
Deletemmm I love this! just like I said in my comment on your last post, God has really been working this "slow down" thing into my heart. There He goes again solidifying it even more ;) I love having prints around the house reminding me of the important things. I need to have those words "always before me". I remember Laura Krause telling me how she writes verses out and hangs them high on her walls across from her chair so she can read them and memorize them as she nurses. We moms need lots of reminders to slow down. Totally agree with the multitasking thing. I can being doing housework all hours of the day, but remembering to sometimes leave the dishes or the laundry and sit my butt down on the floor to play with pots and pans or to color that picture of Winnie the Pooh can be the truer moments that make me an excellent wife and mother!
ReplyDelete