Sweet, sunny October morning. I ponder tasks to be done over a steaming mug of coffee before pausing, reframing, giving over the day to the One who made it. I end quiet time with a prayer to be the Gospel to the people I see today - loving, kind, patient, merciful. I realize the only way to make the most out of this day is to set some boundaries - and set my eyes on this main goal.
If all I do today is love, pure and simple, that is enough. If I take time to pause and listen to these little voices, consider each word said and speak with wisdom and grace, that is enough.
Still, there are chores to be done. Kitchens do not clean themselves, clothes either. The girls will bring in the wash, but I need to hang it first. Then lunch to be made, floors to sweep. Throughout it all, striving to keep perspective.
Its in slowing down that this is made possible. Refusing to rush through the day, refusing to make life an emergency. Interruptions make up the life of a mother and I am remiss if I brush them aside and fail to see what they truly are: opportunities to stop and remember that this, this is what it is all about. This is why I am here. Not to unload the dishwasher at lightning speed, but to bend low to hear a secret, to kiss away tears, to model how He loves, to show them how. Never too busy for people. People before things, before tasks, before To-Do lists. People before me.
All this can't happen without a few well placed boundaries, mostly those on outside responsibilities. A friend's email signature reminds me of this: "I only check my email on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays." A boundary placed on response time, so she can keep focusing on the first calling of her life. A lesson to be learned that life is no race, even when it seems like it is. Emails can wait, but children are growing and changing now. The only emergency is to seize this moment with them and to make it count.
{It's Mindful Mothering Mondays, a day to take a deep breath and write out your mothering journey, whatever form it takes. A day to link up for encouragement from others who are in this same phase of life. A day of writing out the trials and triumphs and what you're learning right where you are, right now. You might post recent struggles or thoughts. Maybe just a picture or a quote. Or maybe you'll just come here and read the links that others post. Whatever form your participation takes, this is a day for you. We are all in this, together. Together, we can encourage and build one another up, be honest with our shortcomings and strengthened by community to keep fighting the good fight.
I chose Mondays because what Mama doesn't need a little encouragement on a Monday? As such, I'll have the link up ready to go on Sunday night for you to begin submitting your links.
I hope you'll meet with me each Monday! Here's what to do ~
Link up your post below. Remember to put the link to the exact post you want to link, and not just your blog url. Include in your post a link back here so others who want to join in can find us! And visit some other Mamas who have linked up.
Post the community graphic within your post, so people who are reading your Mindful Mothering post can come back here and find the rest of us!
Invite the writers of your favorite blogs to join in!
Share this meme with others on facebook and twitter. This community is for all moms, and the more that participate, the more we will be able to enjoy!!}
Grab the graphic here:
