I have a confession to make… I wrote this entry over five years ago! I am just now getting to it. I found it interesting at how different my life feels right now. So much has already changed. (Including I have another child!) Our season of life changed but I don’t think I have very much because I still do not like the fast lane or being busy.
Busy! I used to despise that word. If it’s “popular” and everyone seems to be into it, I always question it. So when being busy became a “trend”, I didn’t fall for it. Yes things got that way when life went from a family of four to six. As well as all the moving seasons we’ve had in the last ten years. But in general we really never had to miss family dinners or quiet weekends at home, because of too many things that were going on. I am so so thankful for that!
Now that I’m living in the south, I finally understand what a backroad is. You know from the country songs?? LOL Anyway when we first moved here I fell in love with the country and the backroads! That wasn’t only because I was terrified of driving on the freeway (my Hawaiian friends might understand me ;) The backroads are soo much more scenic and peaceful. Yes they take longer but who needs to rush anyway? I feel like they reflect my preference to life, slower paced and much more delightful because you can’t really go all too fast on a winding, one lane road. So when I found myself in a fast passed season of life, I almost felt like I betrayed the backroads and am speeding by in the fast lane. But even in that lane the Lord teaches me to embrace it and go with it.
When this school year started for us, over three months ago, things looked a little bit different then the previous years. Up until this point, our kids were not involved in any extra curricular activities. First of all they were not old enough and then with all the moving we did, we weren’t really settled enough to do anything. But this year my sweet parents provided the opportunity for my older two children. One chose dance and the other soccer. Just one activity each, is doable right?
Well it’s been taking up four days out of each week. Which over time adds up to a lot of days not at home. Since the first week of October, in my mind I’ve been living it as if it was almost the last. I got all my dates confused and I could not comply with the idea that we were so busy. I found myself wishing for things to slow down and saying things like “I wasn’t made for so much going on” “I don’t know how people do this” etc.. almost complaining about things that I myself chose to put on my plate and commitments I’ve made, that I need to keep up with.
All the while the Lord was correcting me and assuring me that I am exactly where I need to be. Encouraging me to slow down during the rushed moments and to breathe in. To take an extra minute or two, and go deeper in conversation with a child, while getting ready or driving in the car, to use those moments as valuable discussion opportunities.
In the midst of this weeks hustle and bustle, I now find myself sitting at the park in between activities, waiting for my kids to run their energy out. Which they seem to have enough to share! If I wasn’t embracing this season, there would be no way I would have squeezed in this moment, to find the little joys of life.
If I spend the rest of their childhood wishing the business away then I will miss all of it. After a lot of self talk and mindset shifts, I feel like I’m finally ok with being busy for this season. It’s a new challenge for me to find ways in the midst of it all, to connect, to stop, look and listen to my loved ones and to do my best to enjoy them. I guess I gave myself permission to accept my life as it is and not only how I envision it to be.
It may take some time to fully enjoy the here and now and not have any negative, rushed or weary emotions along with it. But taking the right steps, and eliminating unnecessary things out of your schedule and holding on to the thing that matter most will help you fully enjoy these years. I also try my best to not allow “distractions” to take over my free time. I plan my days intentionally, to have spare time in which I can give a certain child one on one attention or to have extra time to spend all together. It doesn’t always go according to plan but it’s better than not having one.
Maybe you too have too much going on and need to let a few things go. Sometimes it’s not even activities or gatherings but something like screen time or saying yes to everything. We have had to miss SO many things these last few months, just so that we don’t have to sacrifice anymore family time together. Which means most to me in life. They are who help me get through the busy and hard times. I limited screen time for the kids and you wouldn’t believe the impact and peacefulness it brought. (Of coarse that is after a few days/weeks of a few un happy children) The reward is always worth it!
My kids favorite thing to do is snuggle all together in our bed, in the evenings. We did that night after night, turned off the lights and just talked, laughed and sang songs together. Looking back, those nights were what gave me the energy to get up the next morning and to do what needed to be done.
Things are starting to slow down a little with Alistairs soccer season coming to an end. That frees up three days at home for me! I’m a homebody, so I am thrilled! Also super super excited for the cooler, cozy weather, with candles, fires and peaceful music. With plenty of heartwarming memories to make.
To be honest the last few years I kind of dreaded the end of the year/ holiday season. Not only because I’m always cold! Lol Three of my kids have birthdays within a few weeks of each other, theres holiday after holiday at the end of the year. All of that overwhelmed me a bit too much. I’m learning to embrace it though, even if I may get a little emotional with my kiddos growing up.
Some verses I cling to in the midst of these times.
Isaiah 30:21 - Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “this is the way you should go” whether to the right or to the left.
That one is a big part of my life. There have been times when we are ready to head out the door and I will get the sense that nope, I should just stay home. Or just recently, I had somewhere to be with the kids and I had an odd feeling, that at first, I was like “maybe I need to stay home and cancel”? I stopped and listened and what I got was that I need to keep to my word and go. The day turned out therapeutic for me and better than anything I could have created myself. Staying connected to the Holy Spirit is key through any season.
Isaiah 26:3 -You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.
Philippians 4:6-7 - Don’t worry about anything instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Peace dear ones, take a deep breath and enjoy each and every day that you are given. Time flies by way too quickly.
Natty