The events of last week included the first week of school, my youngest starting Kindergarten, and me leaving my job to homeschool one of my children. This left me with plenty of material I could write about today,but with all the activity and drama, it was a single quiet moment that caught my attention.
I consider myself fortunate that my oldest daughter still prefers to sit with me for Sunday morning services at church. During the sermon yesterday, Ashley whispered to me that she didn't feel well. Then something remarkable happened. She put her head on my shoulder. Now that may not seem like a big deal to some, but she's thirteen, and even though I wasn't completely surprised, this little action caught me off guard. I was afraid to move, afraid to breathe, so I sat very still and held my breath waiting for her to be the first one to move. I can't predict if it will ever happen again, and I wanted to savor the moment.
Later that afternoon, we attended our choir's music program, and Ashley again sat next to me. This time, her younger sister was sitting on her other side. At one point during the program, I looked over to see eight year-old Abby resting her head on her big sister's shoulder. Ashley caught my eye, and smiled at me with that good big sister smile. I smiled back, hoping she experienced some of the same emotion I had earlier with her.
Since my youngest was born almost six years ago, I vowed to take more time to enjoy my children while they're little and value the little moments. Yet, so often, I still find myself rushing through. I am blessed to have those instances when my children's actions take my breath away.
What about you? What moment has taken your breath away lately? I'd love to hear about it.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Simple Truth
This past weekend my husband was cleaning out the car, and brought in a paper my daughter had left by her seat. It was her second grade Sunday School handout from last week. I was working at the table, and he sat down and started reading it. I became amused as he asked me for a pen and started working the questions. He then passed the paper across the table to me, and I saw what he was working on. The lesson covered Matthew 6 and was about worry, which is something I'm quite proficient at. The question he had answered on the sheet asked you to list the things you weren't going to worry about and would let God handle. I took the pen from him and added my worries under his.
This paper had one of those pictures where you color in certain squares, such as all the squares with one dot, to see what the picture is. While he was doing this my daughter came in the kitchen and saw what he was doing. She told him how she learned that we shouldn't worry about having food or anything. When he finished coloring the picture, we could see that it was a bird. She said, "Daddy, God takes care of the birds, and he takes care of us."
I needed that lesson Saturday. We have taken a big step in faith in our family, and the worry monster has been trying to creep in. There's nothing like a gentle reminder of truth from an eight year-old.
Have you had a simple lesson shown to you recently?
This paper had one of those pictures where you color in certain squares, such as all the squares with one dot, to see what the picture is. While he was doing this my daughter came in the kitchen and saw what he was doing. She told him how she learned that we shouldn't worry about having food or anything. When he finished coloring the picture, we could see that it was a bird. She said, "Daddy, God takes care of the birds, and he takes care of us."
I needed that lesson Saturday. We have taken a big step in faith in our family, and the worry monster has been trying to creep in. There's nothing like a gentle reminder of truth from an eight year-old.
Have you had a simple lesson shown to you recently?
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A letter to the runner at the park last Tuesday
Dear Runner,
I don't think you meant to be obvious with your staring (or maybe you did). In fact, to the average parent your look may have gone unnoticed. But I caught it. I've seen it many times before. store, school functions.
When you heard my son yelling at me that he was running as fast as he could, you surely thought I was the type of parent trying to push my son to do something he doesn't want to do. Or maybe you thought I was trying to relive my childhood through his activities. I'd like to take a minute to explain.
You see, my son doesn't have the typical mental abilities and maturity of other teenage boys. My husband and I have had to find different ways to help him prepare for his future. He needed a goal that was challenging, but one he could complete. A self-esteem boost, if you will. Together, my son and I decided on the running goal.
So when you saw me encouraging him to move faster and pick his feet up, it's because I've watched him run for the last two weeks, and I know what's he capable of. I also know when he's finished running and completes that goal race, he will have a feeling about himself he's never experienced.
I may not be able to change your opinion about me, or your view of how parents interact with their children, but I hope next time you'll take a moment to consider there may be more to the situation than what you can see.
I don't think you meant to be obvious with your staring (or maybe you did). In fact, to the average parent your look may have gone unnoticed. But I caught it. I've seen it many times before. store, school functions.
When you heard my son yelling at me that he was running as fast as he could, you surely thought I was the type of parent trying to push my son to do something he doesn't want to do. Or maybe you thought I was trying to relive my childhood through his activities. I'd like to take a minute to explain.
You see, my son doesn't have the typical mental abilities and maturity of other teenage boys. My husband and I have had to find different ways to help him prepare for his future. He needed a goal that was challenging, but one he could complete. A self-esteem boost, if you will. Together, my son and I decided on the running goal.
So when you saw me encouraging him to move faster and pick his feet up, it's because I've watched him run for the last two weeks, and I know what's he capable of. I also know when he's finished running and completes that goal race, he will have a feeling about himself he's never experienced.
I may not be able to change your opinion about me, or your view of how parents interact with their children, but I hope next time you'll take a moment to consider there may be more to the situation than what you can see.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Breaking Records
It's been a week of making and breaking records here in Texas. There have been record high daily temperatures, record high electricity usage, along with a record drought. This week, we are on track to break another record with the number of days in a row where the temperature has climbed over 100 degrees.
All the talk in the news of setting new records got me to thinking about some other records I'd like to see broken. There are those that would benefit everyone, such as the lowest gas prices ever, but what about those that are important to my daily sanity? To take a break from the heat, I've compiled a list of records I'd like to see broken. Maybe you can identify with these, or think of some of your own.
1. Number of minutes all of my children can be in the same room without arguing.
I believe the current record holds at approximately 60 minutes, due in part to the average length of an animated movie. Thanks to Blockbuster's summer movie rental rates, I have experienced a few more of these blissful times of peace.
2. The survival rate of a loaf of bread.
The Wright household currently demolishes a loaf of bread at a rate of one for every two days. It's even faster in the summertime when it's too hot to turn on the oven. One round of grilled cheese sandwiches can take out more than half a loaf. I am indebted to bakery outlets.
3. Number of bites I take of my meal before one of the kids asks for a second helping.
Technically, I haven't calculated the actual record on this one, but most of the time it's close to one. There are many times I've only just lifted my fork to take my first bite. I know there will come a day when I serve my family dinner, and they will be able to take care of their needs. Until then, the microwave is my friend. For those of you with tiny ones at home, it does get better. You will soon be able to eat your meals in the same hour of your little ones while they're awake.
4. Amount of time after a meal before someone is in the kitchen asking for a snack.
Keeping with the food theme, I know there will come a day that I will have finished cleaning up the kitchen after dinner and left the room before one of my kids comes rummaging for a snack. I've yet to see it happen, but I have hope!
5. The number of times a day I'm reminded how precious my children are.
This is one record I'd like to break every day. No matter how big my kids get, I want to look for those little blessings and appreciate every one of them.
All the talk in the news of setting new records got me to thinking about some other records I'd like to see broken. There are those that would benefit everyone, such as the lowest gas prices ever, but what about those that are important to my daily sanity? To take a break from the heat, I've compiled a list of records I'd like to see broken. Maybe you can identify with these, or think of some of your own.
1. Number of minutes all of my children can be in the same room without arguing.
I believe the current record holds at approximately 60 minutes, due in part to the average length of an animated movie. Thanks to Blockbuster's summer movie rental rates, I have experienced a few more of these blissful times of peace.
2. The survival rate of a loaf of bread.
The Wright household currently demolishes a loaf of bread at a rate of one for every two days. It's even faster in the summertime when it's too hot to turn on the oven. One round of grilled cheese sandwiches can take out more than half a loaf. I am indebted to bakery outlets.
3. Number of bites I take of my meal before one of the kids asks for a second helping.
Technically, I haven't calculated the actual record on this one, but most of the time it's close to one. There are many times I've only just lifted my fork to take my first bite. I know there will come a day when I serve my family dinner, and they will be able to take care of their needs. Until then, the microwave is my friend. For those of you with tiny ones at home, it does get better. You will soon be able to eat your meals in the same hour of your little ones while they're awake.
4. Amount of time after a meal before someone is in the kitchen asking for a snack.
Keeping with the food theme, I know there will come a day that I will have finished cleaning up the kitchen after dinner and left the room before one of my kids comes rummaging for a snack. I've yet to see it happen, but I have hope!
5. The number of times a day I'm reminded how precious my children are.
This is one record I'd like to break every day. No matter how big my kids get, I want to look for those little blessings and appreciate every one of them.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Smile at the Future
I'm a slacker.
I don't try to be. It just happens sometimes. I find that I can get distracted from a task by the smallest change to my routine. I have good intentions, but poor follow-through in some of the most important aspects of my life.
In 2004, I took a class while my husband was attending seminary. One thing I picked up from this was to make it a habit of reading through Psalms and Proverbs monthly. For the book of Proverbs, it is simple to keep track of what needs to be read each day. There are 31 chapters and 30-31 days in a month. One chapter a day should be easy enough.
In theory.
By now, I should have read through the book approximately 71 times. (You see how effortlessly it is to distract me. I won't point out how much time I spent calculating that figure) I must shamefully admit I haven't accomplished even half that. Distractions can let the simple task of reading one chapter get away from me.
For the month of July, though, I did make it all the way through the book. As I opened my Bible on Sunday to finish the last chapter, I felt a small sense of accomplishment. I was able to stick with it through the month, and I could do it again. Then I read the last chapter of Proverbs. I should've seen it coming. My toes were stepped on, and my accomplishment gave way to defeat.
The Proverbs 31 woman. What a role model! It's a chapter I find both inspiring and painful. This woman is the epitome of who I should strive to be as a wife and mother. On this occasion as I read each verse, I tried to identify areas where I need some work. There were areas I think I've done okay with. I enjoy working with my hands and creating things (verse 13). Rising while it's still night to give food to my household (verse 15)? I've got that one covered. I'm a mother of four, so there have been many nights I rose in the dark of night to feed my children: 11 pm, 1 am, 3 am...
This chapter also showed me what I need to focus more energy on. Compassion and preparation (verses 20-21) are areas I struggle with. God blessed me with dramatic children who love their tears, but the compassionate spirit I need to handle those tears has gone AWOL with all those hours of lost sleep. While I know my children love me, I'm sure there are days they would be hard-pressed to rise up and call me blessed (verse 28).
The point that stuck with me the most, though, I found in verse 25. Even though I had it underlined in my Bible, it resonated with me in a new way. "...And she smiles at the future." The NIV version puts it this way: "...she can laugh at the days to come."
I relish that statement. I can bemoan my downfalls, but instead I can choose to celebrate my future. I can learn to recognize distractions for what they are, and pick myself back up when I falter.
What steps can you take to smile at the future?
I don't try to be. It just happens sometimes. I find that I can get distracted from a task by the smallest change to my routine. I have good intentions, but poor follow-through in some of the most important aspects of my life.
In 2004, I took a class while my husband was attending seminary. One thing I picked up from this was to make it a habit of reading through Psalms and Proverbs monthly. For the book of Proverbs, it is simple to keep track of what needs to be read each day. There are 31 chapters and 30-31 days in a month. One chapter a day should be easy enough.
In theory.
By now, I should have read through the book approximately 71 times. (You see how effortlessly it is to distract me. I won't point out how much time I spent calculating that figure) I must shamefully admit I haven't accomplished even half that. Distractions can let the simple task of reading one chapter get away from me.
For the month of July, though, I did make it all the way through the book. As I opened my Bible on Sunday to finish the last chapter, I felt a small sense of accomplishment. I was able to stick with it through the month, and I could do it again. Then I read the last chapter of Proverbs. I should've seen it coming. My toes were stepped on, and my accomplishment gave way to defeat.
The Proverbs 31 woman. What a role model! It's a chapter I find both inspiring and painful. This woman is the epitome of who I should strive to be as a wife and mother. On this occasion as I read each verse, I tried to identify areas where I need some work. There were areas I think I've done okay with. I enjoy working with my hands and creating things (verse 13). Rising while it's still night to give food to my household (verse 15)? I've got that one covered. I'm a mother of four, so there have been many nights I rose in the dark of night to feed my children: 11 pm, 1 am, 3 am...
This chapter also showed me what I need to focus more energy on. Compassion and preparation (verses 20-21) are areas I struggle with. God blessed me with dramatic children who love their tears, but the compassionate spirit I need to handle those tears has gone AWOL with all those hours of lost sleep. While I know my children love me, I'm sure there are days they would be hard-pressed to rise up and call me blessed (verse 28).
The point that stuck with me the most, though, I found in verse 25. Even though I had it underlined in my Bible, it resonated with me in a new way. "...And she smiles at the future." The NIV version puts it this way: "...she can laugh at the days to come."
I relish that statement. I can bemoan my downfalls, but instead I can choose to celebrate my future. I can learn to recognize distractions for what they are, and pick myself back up when I falter.
What steps can you take to smile at the future?
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