Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever catch up. And then I try and remind myself that I'm not in a race - that treading water is all we do until we don't any more... and there's the other side of the curtain, all 'misty watercolor memories' of the past and angels' welcome. It's about the journey here. It's the open-book test about where our priorties are... and it's all about doing 'the next thing', what we can.
The trick is to steal the joy. Joy isn't hiding in my paperwork - yet the paperwork must be done. It isn't hiding in my organized kitchen cabinets - but having things in their place surely helps (God is an orderly fellow). Joy isn't in checking the list off... but you guessed it, the list MUST eventually get checked off else the Math books will stay empty and the tax refund would never arrive. We avoid numbers in this family (must be genetic).
Real JOY is in moments of revelation - learning moments - time taken to teach. Joy is in the putting off of my agenda to validate a child. Joy is in sunshine and breeze - smelling flowers - planting gardens together. Joy is in laughter; which takes time to talk and share even when there must be cooking and cleaning. Joy is in admitting wrongs and sharing hugs instead of bottling anger. Joy is the peace of knowing that I can 'adopt the pace of nature' - because as long as I keep doing the next thing... everything will get done.
What brings you joy?
I purposefully added in JOY to my daily list. I'm sharing it with you... and I am planning to share my heart with my children - even while I'm checking it off.
March 3, 2010 List
School Planning
PET THE CAT
Make the beds
LISTEN TO THE CHILDREN SINGING DOWNSTAIRS AND CHEER THEM ON
Rotate the laundry
ENCOURAGE THE KIDS TO STAY ON TASK INSTEAD OF BEING UPSET
Write out a school list for the kids
NURSE THE BABY
Tidy the office/school area
Check email
ENCOURAGE A FRIEND
Update calendar
PRAY AND WRITE IN MY PRAYER JOURNAL
Type up a list for co-op and email to co-op partner
LISTEN TO MUSIC
Make a menu
SNACK WITH KIDS
Help the kids with Math
READ WITH THE KIDS
Take the kids to their doctor appointments
TAKE THE KIDS OUT TO LUNCH
Meet a girl that wanted to buy my baby swing
GIVE IT TO HER INSTEAD
Help the kids check off their school assignment list
NURSE THE BABY
Cook dinner
READ THE BIBLE TOGETHER
Help the kids with dishes
SNUGGLE AND PLAY WITHOUT DISTRACTION
Fold and put away laundry
Pick up the baby toys and tidy the house
WATCH THE ROOMBA CLEAN THE FLOOR DOWNSTAIRS
BEDTIME READING and KISSES
3 comments:
Awesome list, Heather.
You've made me think about finding little moments for joy in my day... because I have really been lacking in that arena lately.
Thank you!
What a wonderful reminder! I needed to remember today it's all about the journey we're on:)
You bring me joy!
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