I’m preparing lunch and washing dishes while watching the rain wash over our deck. So beautiful. I feel so much peace in this moment. I uttered a quick whisper of “Thank You Jesus”. The kids are running back and forth, dancing and jumping to their worship playlist. They are loud, but having a good time. They each have a red Valentine’s Day balloon in their grasp. I can hear the crinkle of the helium filled foil heart, as they pull the string back and forth.
The house is not quiet, nothing is perfect. But the peace is so evident.
I was just thinking of how we didn’t have any plans for the rest of our day, and just how content I was feeling about that. My life is so full as I am intentionally living life with my hubby and kids, but I’m not busy and I love for myself. I don’t have tons of free time, but I’ve created space for me and my kids to enjoy life without the need for all the ripping and running. And I love that for us.
I’m learning to embrace and even cultivate more moments like this throughout my days, weeks… and life. It’s so easy to get caught up in filling up our schedules with activities, and busyness. But I don’t want that for myself or my family. Now don’t get me wrong, we do many things that bring us joy! Our little lady is in her 3rd season of dance, we meet up with other homeschool families throughout the week, and we love to fellowship with our church family on Sundays! Add in time spent with my closest friends and loved ones, and there is no shortage of great times over here. And in the midst of it all, I’m learning that our every waking moment does not have to be filled with “doing something” in order for their to be fulfillment in my life. No do I have to keep a “full” schedules of activities or say “yes” to every invite in order for my kids to have a “good childhood”.
We’re not busy, but our lives are so full. I Didn’t even know what I was missing until I got here!
3 Intentional Ways I’ve stepped away from the busyness to cultivate a full life
1. Significantly limited my scrolling and turned my attention to my husband and kids.
This is nothing new over here. I’ve shared countless times how I’ve had to unlearn so many things when it came to how I engaged with social media. From comparison, to trying to impress and keep up with everyone and anyone… which led to me putting pressure on myself and my children to PERFORM. whew chi. Exhausting! You can read more about that here and in my newly revised E-Guide “PRAY. THRIVE. SLAY. THE MOM GUIDE”!
What I will say is, with regards to living a full life, I stopped letting the “social media experts” tell me how to engage with my family and turned my attention to them to discover what THEY enjoyed. Turns out my kids just wanted to spend time with momma, and that’s what I’ve been intentionally doing… spending time with them. Y’all I didn’t even realize how good I was at hide-and-seek until just a few weeks ago. lol. It’s lit. And I didn’t need a course or program to tell me that. No shade to those who are helping countless families figure things out. It is necessary work and for some life saving. I totally get it. I just know that for the season I am in, I needed to focus inward (with my family) vs. outward (social media).
Y’all, The Holy Spirit has truly been illuminating so many things in my life over the past 18 months, it’s BLOWING MY MIND in the best of ways! My presence in my home is invaluable, and I’m so grateful that I’m paying attention while my kids are little and that I’m not 20 years in looking back at how much time I wasted watching other people live their lives! The same goes for my marriage. Nothing perfect over here, but so much intentional living and learning, daily!
2 Invited the Holy Spirit into my motherhood!
I think so often we’re told just how intuitive mothering is. And that we will “figure it out with time”. And while I do agree, I also have learned in my very short time of being a mom (so much more to learn), that the Holy Spirit can and will give you guidance and wisdom when things are not so “intuitive”. Or when the time has passed and you’re still going “what in the world am I even doing with these kids”. (BEEN THERE). Instead of turning to social media, I encourage you to turn to Your Heavenly Father! Take the cares, concerns, and even your need/desire for new ideas for how to engage your children and keep you home to HIM! I know that I am connected to more moms who work outside of the home, rather than who stay home/homeschool their kids. And I need you to know the same applies! God wants to be with you on this journey! Invite Him in and put Him in His proper place in your life! Allow His Holy Spirit to fall fresh over how you live your life… including how you care for your home, children and husband. Truly that is the key to THRIVING!
3 “One-to-one” rule in this season.
So on a more practical level, I’ve been embracing a “One-to-One” rule when it comes to my kids activities. Right now they are doing one activity per season and that works so well for me and our schedule. I remember when I first began this homeschool journey, I was so worried that if I didn’t sign up my little lady for every activity under the sun, then somehow it would poorly reflect on me and her development. CHI!!! Baby girl was taking private swim lessons, doing gymnastics, I was going to most library events… and we were just beginning our first season of dance. Oh and my son wasn’t even 1 and I was still nursing! CHI!!!! I set myself up. And although it led to lively and “impressive” chats with other moms… I WAS EXHAUSTED! I told y’all in the past post that I’ve been doing some serious work to let go of the need to impress others or keep up with everyone.
Fast Forward, nearly 2 years later, and we’ve found our flow in this one-to-one season. This even extends to what we do during the day/week.. When it comes to meeting up with other homeschool families, birthday parties, social gatherings… I am super intentional about what I commit to, and how it will impact the other needs I have to tend to with my kids and in our home.
How are you ditching the overwhelm in your life in this season? Comment below or connect with me on Facebook and let your girl know!
It’s Here! The E-Guide is Here!
