If I am going to Aldi, I should stop at the Grocery Outlet first...
And don't forget the coupons, the bags, the quarter.
I'll drop off the library books on my way out of town,
stop at the thrift store and unload the bags from my trunk to make room for the groceries,
and listen to the latest podcast episode of That Sounds Fun! as I'm driving.
Bring the returns for Target,
the plastic shopping bags for their collection bin,
and don't forget to use the gift card if you make a purchase!
I'll make sure to text HIM and HER if I get stuck at a red light,
and I'll catch up on THIS and THAT if Thatcher falls asleep
and I have some time to just sit in the car before going into the stores.
Don't forget to pack a good book or maybe my laptop.
My mind goes legit into this song and dance, arranging and rearranging tasks trying to make the most sense and get the most done.
But here's the kicker:
I spend a lot of RIGHT NOW focused on THEN.
And although I would argue that there is a perk to being prepared and organized and all that jazz, I know that it takes a lot of my mental energy to keep this list running and I know that this can easily become an idol for me.
How much can I accomplish? Becomes, how amazing am I?
What can I cross off the to-do list? Becomes a game of pride, hailing myself when I get the stuff done and berating myself when I do not.
And the funny part of this is that it is never-ending and...confession...I enjoy it.
The scenario I wrote about, that was Tuesday.
It is Friday morning as I type and do you want to know how my Tuesday played out?
After I did All.The.Things?
Thatcher began throwing up all over himself in the backseat.
He was in his car seat and couldn't barely move to save his life.
I pulled over as soon as I could and got him out of there.
After baby wipes, new clothes, and getting him situated in big brother's car seat,
I was faced with a huge mess.
You don't plan for these things.
But I knew that he needed me and he needed me to be present.
Maybe for you it's not a list of things to do or a calendar. Maybe for you it's the phone, computer, tv, or a really good book (guilty). I will be the first to say that I often get to the end of the day and feel as though I haven't had any meaningful contact with my family because I was too busy doing that thing- whatever that may look like. But there is such a gift to have this moment and be fully present in it.
"Missionary Jim Elliot said, 'Wherever you are, be all there.'"
Annie F. Downs said, "God loves us so much that He gave us everything, and He asks us to love others the way He loved us. Loving others means being present with them in their pain, being present with them in their joy. It means being all there." (emph. mine)
Be Brave:
What if you just took a break from your phone for a few hours?
Or a day? Put it down and walk away.
Notice the twinge of pain that comes
when you think you might be missing something,
but also embrace it!
This is the carpet cleaner we purchased: the Bissell Little Green.
Turns out, it works really well in cars and on puked-on clothing as well.
It's affordable. It is easy to clean and doesn't take up a lot of room.
Plus -and this is gross, I know!- but
there is something SO COOL about watching the gunk get sucked up.
Highly recommended.
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