Swept Away

Lately, I have been swept away. 

There is really no other word for it. This is a full time of year for us. You see we have three children. And we allow each child to do one extra-curricular activity in the Spring. We set aside Fall for a focused fresh start to school and of course church activities always abound. But, in the Spring months of March/April/May we give them each an opportunity to explore their interests—by selecting 1 extra-curricular activity.

Currently, I have one child in gymnastics, another in baseball, and another in softball(t-ball).

This makes my week very full.

*Monday night one practice

*Tuesday night another practice

*Wednesday night Church activities

*Thursday night host an in home bible study

 Then it’s the weekend.

*Friday/Saturday (sometimes includes games/practices)

*Sunday- worship/Church

(whew!)

Here is what I know.  I do not thrive on go, go, go. I do not like rush, busy, get out the door, chauffeur here and there monotony. I like down time with my family. I like it to just be us sometimes. I enjoy a quiet afternoon of homework, outside play, dinner, and maybe an episode of I Love Lucy.

But despite what I like. My husband and I both love to watch our kids grow and develop new talents. We find joy in their attempts and as swept away as we are with activities, we are more swept away in the joy that Christ gives by parenting them. Praising them, teaching them, encouraging them, and loving them.

We are not mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially capable of providing this kind of extra fun on this level, year round, so it is best for our household to limit this fun beautiful whirlwind to three months out of the year.

And here is what I am learning.

When I am tired and dread another trip to the ball-field---to replace that thought with what I get to do.

Many of my dear friends would love to be caught up in the extra-curricular whirlwind but they can’t.

I have a couple of friends who are currently in the whirlwind activity of chemo treatments, appointments, hospital trips, and medicine charts. (And I’m sure they could list about 100 more things to that list that only a parent with an ill child can describe).  Another who spends most her nights awake monitoring fevers and praying. The list could go on.

Some are longing to hold their children, but the road to infertility is left them aching.

Some are holding on to memories, and wishing they could only go back and enjoy that whirlwind once more.

In honor and respect to these amazing people, I choose to enjoy, savor, and thank God for these long days. And when I even begin to think I’m too tired, I hope to replace that with a prayer, for those brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow parents who truly know what tired looks like.

We each have unique lives and experiences and only by seeking God’s direction can we decide what is best for our individual families.  I pray that you feel free to do what God is leading you to do. The pressure to push play at every opportunity is glaring. My kids could stay busy year round if we said yes to everything. But sometimes we have to take a stand and say no.

I pray before all else in our lives, we are first and foremost Swept Away by the love of Jesus Christ. We let him lead and direct our lives. We seek and inquire from his word. And we do our very best to serve and honor Him.