This
past Saturday, my kids and I had a delightful day...despite. A perfect Saturday to me, would be one in which our whole family would be together, whether we had chores and to-do lists or not. This was not my perfect Saturday. My husband had to work from early morning until early evening. The girls had an overnight which didn't end until lunchtime Saturday. We then had approximately a half hour to scarf down lunch and head out the door for a birthday party to which my daughter had accepted an invitation. So often our weekdays feel rushed and busy. I'd rather Saturday not feel that way. But alas, this was our day.
The party was at a roller-skating rink in another town. Our school district is so widespread that this is often the case. I really didn't want to be in another town for two and a half hours so I fully intended to go home and drive back when it was over. Unfortunately we knew no one nearby who was attending, so a carpool was out of the question. When we were almost there I realized that it took a full thirty plus minutes to get there; I decided I didn't want to spend the entire afternoon in the car. Staying at the rink with baby-in-tow and a younger daughter who would need me on the rink was out of the question. I remembered driving past a very small neighborhood park.
It was quite chilly, but after a quick check I realized everyone had a jacket or at least long sleeves. The park was new to us. It was cute and small. It was a really fun few minutes. A very few minutes. We may have been there a whole fifteen minutes...before the wind kicked up and the rain started. But this fun little adventure rejuvenated my kids so much; they must have thanked me and reminded each other to thank me...at least fifteen times!
Following the park we made a very fun stop at Dairy Queen. It takes a mama no imagination at all to make this a successful outing. We laughed, ate, told stories, and enjoyed each other's company! My 8 year old even attempted to eat the largest ice cream sundae on the menu! What a nice laid-back time. We capped off the afternoon with a little grocery shopping and then the kids finished watching a movie in the car. When we arrived to pick up my daughter at the party, there was so much extra cake and balloons that my other kids were offered some, to which they happily accepted. We got a kick out of watching Ella meander slowly around the rink in her tiny pink roller skates--the cutest things I have ever seen--for one last song. This was a delightful day...despite. Despite not having Daddy around on a Saturday. Despite the rush out the door. Despite spending the entire afternoon killing time in an unfamiliar town. Despite the chilly rainy weather. We had a delightful day despite any of my preconceived ideas for this Saturday!
That was repeated, surprisingly, on Sunday afternoon. My son had an out of town soccer game mid-afternoon. I had earlier that day griped mentioned to my husband that due to our hectic weekend schedules (which include him working every remaining Saturday in October), we weren't going to be able to pick apples at the apple orchard--a tradition we have looked forward to yearly since our oldest was a baby. I was bummed! On a country drive to my son's soccer game my husband declared "Hey, an apple orchard!". After the game, we both decided "What the heck? It's Sunday--and probably the last weekend we have a chance to do this-- so let's go!" We broke tradition a bit by going to a different orchard, and truthfully, I had to make peace with that...for a minute. But, we had a delightful day...despite! Despite missing church that morning (which we don't like to do). Despite the tractor not starting (which likely means a battery purchase in our near future), and the back part of our property not getting mowed. Despite the car drive to the soccer game, in which my husband and I were quietly mulling over discouragements. Despite feeling like we couldn't possibly fit in every precious family tradition. Despite life's upsets and challenges, we had a delightful day!
Hopefully I'm learning a lesson here. Life is very full of opportunities to make the most out of situations that don't look fun. Time is precious. And family time is a treasure. I believe God always wants to redeem the time and the moments. I'm trying to keep my eyes and heart open for opportunities to make a delightful day...despite.
Feeling very fulfilled and content creating precious memories with our children. I'm focusing on remaining content in all things. This is good. Really good. Circumstances cause me to look up, look down, look around, seek, seek, and seek; they're not altogether bad, constantly changing, because once I seek, I find. I find Him. I find the One, the only one, in whom my soul rests. Once I find Him--as I always do when I seek--I am fully reminded to rest in Him. To be content. To remain content. In contentment is the peace which my soul desperately craves. I crave this peace more than I crave any other thing in my life! I crave peace as my body craves water. And I have found...I am finding, again and again that peace, true peace, is found in contentment.
Living this truth is key because I know that my children are watching me more than they are listening to me. (Often I wonder if they're ever listening to me.) But, do you know what I mean? The way that I live my life and walk in contentment and peace...or not, is what they get more than what I say to them. I have to keep this truth in the forefront, because I want my children to live life in peace more than anything else. Just as the apostle Paul said, whether they abound or are abased (Philippians 4:12), I want them to live life content; this brings about true peace.
Today is a perfect opportunity. My husband and I finally have a date night planned. They are few and far between so we are ecstatic when one is on the calendar! My 7 year old woke up complaining of a headache. I gave him medicine, prayed with him, and sent him on his way to school. I had a very strong suspicion that the school would be calling me by lunch time, at the latest. Just had a feeling. Sure enough, I got off the phone with my older brother mid-morning and there was a call from my son's school. So, I pouted for a minute. Then, I packed up my 3 year old and drove to get my son. He had a low grade fever. I sent a message to my friend, who had so graciously offered to watch my children. I let my husband know what was going on. I pouted just a bit more. Then I began to seek. Why, darn it? Well...why not? Life is life...and sometimes it's unfair! But, you know what else I found? Contentment. Peace. I watched our new chicks for a while...and they made me smile. I looked around my beautiful living room (beautiful in my eyes as we're still renovating and it's been a long journey). I smiled. I breathed. I listened to my son talk to his sister with kindness. I relaxed. It's okay. He may feel better after resting, and we may still get to go. Or, he may not and the date will be off. Either way, I'm okay. I'm fully content and enjoying this day. I am at peace. My soul is at rest.
So, this peace is truly what I want my children to catch, if they don't get anything else from me. This is my prayer for them. Am I always at peace? No way! But, this is my prayer for myself too. And I'm learning. I'm growing. I'm seeing God work His peace in me as a master craftsman. He is perfectly able to finish all of the good works that He has begun in me. I will continue to look for places to smile. I will continue to thoroughly enjoy creating memories--and opportunities for memories--with my children. Some of the things making us all smile recently are our 8 new baby chicks. They are darling. And yes, I know that they grow up! We are so excited about this new chapter in our new country life! Loving the moments. Loving the days. Looking for the smiles. Learning to remain content. Learning to live in peace.
Here is the task: to write a blog in 20 minutes! Why? I don't have more time than that. Honestly! This day has been filled up with reorganizing toys; cleaning; home schooling my son; exercising; printing coupons; and trekking through a wet, puddled basement to complete a few loads of laundry. It has been another busy day at the Hinz house. Even through the clutter and chaos; through the dampness of the day (inside and out), my heart and my soul are at peace. This is the forever "thing" that I am wanting to pass on to my children as well. Life is so much better lived with peace!
We want to rent our home and move. We want to enlarge the area in which we live. We have many other short-term as well as long-term goals. But, each and every day this family's biggest goal is to live in peace. This peace is best achieved by contentment and joy. This joy is best arrived at by laughing at life and enjoying the quirks and goodness in one another. Our children are continually cracking us up! Just last night, while we were doing our bedtime routine, my sometimes emotional and occasionally cantankerous 3 yr. old said, in response to being corrected, "I don't trust anyone!" My husband and I just looked at each other completely astonished! I asked, "Ella, where in the world did you hear such a thing?" To which she replied while smiling, "In the Jungle Book." We were relieved! Then we had another good laugh! The things our kids pick up and pay attention to! Well, that's just it, isn't it? It is amazing what they pay attention to....and they are paying attention!
Knowing that my kids are paying attention, I want to grasp hold of each and every opportunity that presents itself to impart something good--something of lasting value--into their lives. When they show interest in something, I really want to take the time to talk further with them. When they have questions, I need to answer them! When they are showing me that they desperately need my attention, I need to give them...myself! They are watching; they are listening; they are paying close attention! They remember things that I sometimes don't. Just days ago, my 7 year old was retelling me of the time when my husband gave his coat to a man who was likely homeless, who was spending time around the dumpsters where my husband worked. It was winter and the man needed a coat. It seemed a simple, easy enough thing to do. My son was probably 2 or 3 years old when this took place and I really don't think we've talked about it since then. But, my son remembered because we did talk with him about it at the time; we told him how important it is to do something even when you are not sure there is much you can do. Apparently, this had a lasting impact on him!
So, my forever lesson and my forever prayer is that I am living in peace with my family, with my neighbors, and with myself! My children are paying attention to what I am doing and what I am saying. They see my reactions to life. They see the peace exemplified! And, they see when peace is not what I have chosen. We are continually living this life in front of our children, even when we are not sure what to do--or we don't feel we have enough time to do what needs to be done. They are watching! Young, impressionable lives are watching mine lived in front of them! Lord, help me to remember to love as You do! Help me remember to have peace in every circumstance. Allow me to live with joy and contentment all the days of my life. And, help me to take every opportunity to teach my children about what matters in this life. Help my children to see you in the every day circumstances!
My 20 minutes is up! My daughter is also up...from her nap, begging for a snack. Laundry needs folded; toys need picked up; Lego pieces need found; a phone call needs to be made; and dinner needs prepared. Life is busy and sometimes difficult to slow down. But, in the midst of my busy life....little lives are watching!
