There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Do you think of your life in seasons? Do you ever stop to reflect that right now, the day-to-day pattern of your life is a season? One that will somehow merge seamlessly into the next. And most likely, in a few years time you'll wonder what happened to the season you are living in today?
I never thought much about the seasons of my life until I had kids. Middle school became high school and high school became college and then thank God college became married life and married life led to babies.
And babies. Boy, babies will teach you about seasons.
Right now I am in the season where a 16 month old, a 2 1/2 year old and a 4 year old are my to-do list each day. That's it. There's literally nothing else that I have To Do in life beyond maintaining their health and well-being. And right now doing that one thing is really kicking my tail.
As school starts back up and I watch my friends take their kids to school or parents morning out programs I wonder, should I be doing that too? Would that make this season easier? I honestly don't think it would. Different- yes, easier- no.
We've made the decision not to send our kids to school or parent's morning out in this season, and some days I wake up with a whole day stretching before me and I am completely paralyzed. I told a friend recently, I'll be up drinking my first cup of coffee and suddenly be hit with the realization, ohmygosh I have three kids who are going to wake up any minute and come in here and ask me what we're doing today and I have NO IDEA what to say to them. It's like I've never done this before.
Lately it has either been raining outside or blazing hot with high humidity. And the pool is CLOSED during the week now. That certainly doesn't help matters much. 'Too wet to go out, too (hot) to play ball, so we sat in the house, we did nothing at all.' - Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat
This very short season when I have 3 young children who are all mobile, opinionated and WITH ME all day long is hard.
Would you pray for us? Would you pray that I would take Solomon's words to heart? That I would be reminded that there is purpose in this season? That I would find ways to fill our days that are enjoyable for me AND the kids? That I would believe that he makes everything beautiful in its time?
Thanks friends.
Awesome post, Katie. I, too, struggle with this. I am being reminded recently of the importance of putting them first - and practically speaking in the morning, for them to get the "best" of me, and let everything else flow from that. Honestly, I'm much more comfortable with a task than with simply being with them. Most of all, I'm feeling the call to move away from the voices/examples of other and attend to the inward voice of God speaking to me about what parenting is truly all about (discipline being a weak point for me). "And God is able to make all grace ABOUND to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may ABOUND in every good work." God bless you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jessica. It can be so hard to stop and listen to what God is saying to ours heart amidst the everyday distractions.
DeleteWe could have some Friday fun days. Trampoline time, painting at my house, toddlers clean my bathtub...so many options! We will certainly pray for you as I often do the same thing in the morning unless I have some plan of action.
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy. Your prayers are coveted!
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