My husband and I spent the last weekend by ourselves. With our older kids on a missions trip and our younger kids at my mom's, we enjoyed a few days of uninterrupted conversations, thinking only of our own agenda. No bickering, no noise, no spontaneous hoots or smacks on table (you've really got to stop that, Keygan!), no cooking, no laundry, no concern about time. We slept VERY late, ate WAY too much and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
But here's the funny thing. I missed my kids. I missed the way Keeli pats my back when she walks by me on the computer. I missed Kelsi's knowing glances, catching the drift of what's REALLY going on. I missed Keygan's goofy, "Hey, Mom!" and Tanner's shy way of sneaking up for a hug. It seems not a week goes by where I don't long for more time to myself and more quiet, yet when I get it, I see it is overrated. Life is not greener on the other side. My kids aren't hampering my style, they are enriching it.
It's got me wondering this morning if wishing for something different makes us miss the blessings of TODAY. Getting the quiet I so longed for this weekend was bittersweet. I slept better, but I missed a lot of hugs and Keeli's gentle kisses. It was nice having to get only myself ready and out the door for church, but I felt old sitting there without any kids. My house may have been quiet, but it didn't have the life it normally has. So today, when things get tense at my house I'm going to look for the blessings, look for what I would miss if I would wish for something different.
What would you miss out on if you wished for something different?
4 comments:
why is it that some of the things that are most difficult at the moment always seem to serve a greater purpose than the good things? He works in strange ways.
Phillipians 4:12-13
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything who gives me strength."
God is the one who can give us the strength to be content in all situations, even if it's not really where we think we need to be.
Day 7 on the Other Side
Jessica has been in California for 7 days now. That's 7 of 21 days, but who's counting. I can do anything I want. Name my own schedule (So why am I working 16 hour days?) Fix meals I like and she doesn't. (Ok, that is a perk) Spend time with friends. (And tell me why I was at the office working both Friday and Saturday night?) I can exercise every day. (I will get back into those capris that haven't fit all summer.) It's all about me, right? WRONG.
It is still very much about us. I work hard because I let cleaning slide helping her with 4-H. I work even harder so I can free up time when she is back.
I have lots of quiet and it makes me lonely. It makes me think of those who live all the time in this circumstance and I have more compassion.
It reminds me that the best way to not be lonely is to find someone to reach out to and minister. It prompts me to stop and visit with someone who recently lost her husband. It teaches me the value of a precious daughter, growing up to love Jesus. It makes me long to be the mother God wants me to be.
So when she is back and she does something that drives me crazy. Yes, it will happen. I will remember this quiet and I will remember the true value of Jessica, God's gift to me.
What could have been different IF... it's amazing the path He leads us down. What WOULD we miss if we had a different path?
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