It has been a crazy week. Three out of the five of us have been fighting annoying colds. My refrigerator died and is going to require a part that is not available for a few days. Our days and evenings have been hectic. The weather has been bitterly cold.
This morning I felt the Spirit nudging me to remember a post Ann wrote a while back about the importance of just smiling at our children. How important it is for us to simply express our good pleasure in knowing them and being a part of their daily lives! Sometimes it is hard...especially when there are schedules to keep, lists to be crossed off, chores to do and little people whining at you instead of talking to you.
This morning I pondered the importance of intentionally smiling despite the circumstances. Demonstrating joy and love that was not dependent on their behavior or my day. Some moments have been better than others. But, this afternoon I rolled down the car windows and watched in my rearview mirror as the children experienced the almost-Spring breeze blowing on their faces. Their smiles, giggles and squeals of pure delight were contagious. Suddenly, I too felt lighter and remembered that these are the moments that make life memorable. The little slices of Heaven on Earth. Delight in the simple things. Spending time together.
I must slow down to breathe and regain perspective. Life is just better that way!
12 comments:
A good reminder for me today as I'm cleaning house, preparing for our first slumber party, and nursing an ear infection. I like when you said "demonstrating joy that is not dependent on their behavior or my day." That sounds very Christ-like. Thank you.
Thanks for the reminder today.
This afternoon since school, has already been full of fights (and they've only been here for an hour).....so BOY, do I need to remember to smile at my kids!
THANKS!
Funny, but even your regular posts remind me of this each time I read them.
We also enjoyed a car ride with the windows rolled down today...that's enough to make me smile any February day! Thanks for the link to Ann's blog!
Yes, what a great lesson. I too need to slow down and "smell the roses". THank you so much for stopping by. It really is so neat to build these relationships. It is a great support network.
Here is a big deep breath.
Lauren
Hi Jen,
I was just catching up reading your blog and felt myself thinking "oh, oh, oh....I feel that too!" Especially your last post; I just wanted so much to tell you what a wise woman you are in the area of recognizing your need for balance before "God has to pry my hands open." Wow! It's great that you get that now. Because I didn't. And you are right. The finger-prying isn't pretty. I have long learned my lessons and I am STILL dealing with the consequences of God literally ripping away ANY control! So I admire you as a smart Mommy for seeing it before the fact. And yes, I agree, the VERY BEST moments are the simple ones spent in the day to day. I finally get that now. In case I haven't mentioned 1200 times, I love your blog. You write just what I would have if blogging were around when we were in that phase. So I'm glad to have YOUR record since I didn't write these things down. Sorry to ramble. Like I said, I just connect so strongly with your thoughts. Have a great weekend!
Sorry, you can delete me. I forgot about using J-mom. Please forgive me.
Thanks for the reminder. I have been feeling a little overwhelmed the past few days and haven't smiled that much at my children. Just plugging along with schedules and telling them where they need to be. We need to slow down!
I think I heard once it actually takes less muscles to smile than to frown, so just think of smiling as using less energy.
love ya girl.
Thanks for this great reminder. I have been having "one" of those weeks too! Now I need to get off this computer and get something done!
Nicole
I have read your blog for awhile now but never commented.
I just wanted to thank you for sharing this. This is something I have felt the Lord urge me to work on..."Delighting in the simple things", smiling more often, and demonstrating joy in every moment.
I needed this reminder today! Thank you for the encouragement.
God bless!
Elizabeth
We too enjoyed rolling down the windows. It was on our way home from church last Sunday and the kids were getting sleepy. Porter had the sun shining on his face, his beautiful blonde, baby-fine hair blowing in the wind. Abigail just put her head back and enjoyed the sunshine. Man, I could bottle that memory forever! My husband and I kept looking at them in the mirrors. :)
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