Going........
All day long, I have been wanting to write an article about important issues, inspiring ideas, profound thoughts that we must consider if we are going to be bold and relevant in this mixed up culture. I see women focussing on small matters, fixating on things that will pass away, while right in front of them are children who will be adults who need to have a mentor to help shape their souls, a teacher who will stimulate their minds, a friend who will listen and believe in them, a leader who will model integrity, and those who will teach them the priceless value of building a family heritage.
Children need these models of righteous life--their moms! Yet, so many women do not accept the challenge or live frustrated lives, being overcome by busyness and missing the opportunity to shape souls in the moments of life. This is what I wanted to write about, but ......
But Nathan is filming a movie in town and the staff are staying at our house. We have guests that need to be sought out and listened to and fed. I had a rare opportunity to spend some time with Joel today while he was getting his visa for Scotland in Denver, knowing he will be leaving to pursue his masters and further education in the next few years. So, I decided that I could write later. This was a moment to invest in our friendship and in his heart, to talk about eternal issues, to discuss things that mattered. And so I put aside my writing one more time in order to invest in him.
Then upon coming home, I found one of the sweet ones visiting us, alone, so soon another hour was gone. Finally, Nathan texted and said, "Mom, another actor is arriving at the Park and Ride. Could you pick him up and take him to dinner?"
And so I did, and his name was Michael. And our conversation was full of life. Now, almost bedtime, I realize that I was making choices today to mentor, to disciple, to invest in the precious life of the one right in front of me, even though I did not get my "work" finished.
This is something I learned to embrace many years ago--I have a stewardship to seek to bring light to everyone God brings across my path, and to particularly invest in my children who are for some years my primary disciples, so that they can grow strong.
You and I only have this day, this moment to choose to live for what matters.
"Teach us to number our days that we might present to thee a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 91:12
As I was pondering these thoughts--that I want to make the most of every day, I remembered this article I had written several years ago with the same thoughts.. I will wrap up how it applies to my life now at the end......
I can never remember a time when there were not piles of responsibilities stacking up, vying for my attention. As long as I can remember, there is always more to do, not less. Today was no different. Out of town company all weekend for a concert we sponsored in our church meant more cooking, more cleaning, late nights and more talking and serving. Today, a big Sunday breakfast for all in my house, rushing to church, and then picking up more out of town friends, dear to our hearts, to visit the whole afternoon long. A tea time, pie, both pecan and berry, and lots of talking and talking, more dishes, and then delivering them at a conference nearby.
This blog was looming over my mind, as I wanted to write about what mattered most in life, to encourage you, my sweet friends. Two final deadlines for an impending writing project and important deadlines for my book launch, as well as 3 letters that must be written.
All of these were piling and increasing my stress level.
When I searched the landscape of my mind, I pondered this gorgeous fall day--God has painted the leaves in such an amazing way today, and I have hardly had time to notice. I have Joel at home all by himself apart from the other kids, for a rare occasion, and he particularly loves our long walks together. Our other guest, Matthew, is someone our family greatly values and I know he would love to see our special walking trails and sunset views. If I go, I will not get my work finished and will have more on my plate tomorrow.
But, I have made a goal this year to own my life more completely by choosing to invest personally with real live people right in front of me. And so, now, this moment, is when the test comes to challenge my commitment.
Will I choose work, again, to keep faithfully at my piles, or will I take this moment that I may not have again, to invest, to make a memory. It is not an issue of a rule or formula, but a commitment I have made in my heart to not make my duties more important than my people.
This moment challenges the personal commitment I have made.
And so, instead of writing this blog, instead of staying home to get ahead for my Monday piles, I chose Sabbath--to focus on the personal, right in front of me reality.
Going......
Pinks, golds, ambers, yellows colored our happy path as we spoke of music, stories, ideas, dreams, hopes. The former boy, now man moving into his glory as he surmounts life and shares the moments one more time, with me, his now much smaller than him, mama. My heart warmed at his eagerness to be my friend. My heart swelled at this little boy became man, and such a strong good one. My happiness fills as now, my son and true closest of friends, chooses me to spend his last afternoon minutes, instead of the busyness that is piling high on his plate. Now, he is choosing to invest personally in me, instead of choosing work.
Gone!!!! Too quickly, the time I can invest will be over, gone forever.
Too quickly, the sun went down, our walk came to the edge of the path, our cherished moments came to an end, but my heart had this precious soul memory stored in the treasure chest of my own heart to hold dear for the years to come.
Too quickly your path will also come to an end and the window of time in which you can love and influence will close for a new phase of life for your children ahead.
The work will somehow all get done, eventually,
but this glorious day, I chose to celebrate with God in His art gallery, in the intimate moments that I will have to cherish for years to come.
