Something inside me says 'get all the jobs done - quickly' then we can chill.
Except when you have lots of little kids you need to let your job lists slide and have a little fun on the side. Or centre ;)
Disgusted at the sound of my own voice stating 'oi, get off there we have jobs to do' while touring through the shopping centre to get a single packet of skewers so the boy child can make chicken kebabs. It was the 29th December and our small town is overcome with tourists and out-of-towners stocking up on grocery supplies and I have four little guys tottering all around me.
Do I not allow time for a quick play on a stupid car-ride-thing? Even though there are things to do? Is that not a step into smelling the roses?
Later on I discover the sound of my very own voice 'hurry up! Do it properly' and I hear the whines of my very own beloved children protesting at their required efforts.
Am I too busy marking off my to do list that I forget the harvesting of selfless attitudes with a serving heart?
How did I get this way?
Is it not I that gets so irritated at the selfish deeds of adults refusing to put in a decent effort for a required outcome?
Is it not I that think 'wow that was an adult-sized-tanty' when I witness the fruitless works of staff and even bosses?
Is it not I that witness the pride that gets in ones way as they pull off an adult-sized-two-year-old tantrum and quit their job in front of the entire store, for a mere worthless drugged up bogan using a swear word.
Yet here I am, requiring effort in works and forgetting the most important aspect. The heart, training the heart, nurturing the relationship, loving the child. Love.
As I listen to the clutter of noise droning from the radio one song catches my attention, the words go along with a theme, if I can do this and that and have no love I am nothing. And it is true.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Am I so busy trying to get a list completed as to neglect the immediate needs of my very own birthed children? Is it so much more important to get my jobs done than it is to lay down my life for them and give not my gifts but my very own self?
In short, the answers are no. It is more important that the children know they are loved, wanted, nurtured, have a willing parent ready to be contacted and shower precious child in love and in care.
After all, if I can listen to the little things from a child they shall turn to me for the big things as a teen/adult... For to a child those little things are the big things.
Unfortunately for me and my loved ones, I remain imperfect. But it's being worked on ;)
5 things I am thankful for:
1) child's willingness to forgive
2) saving grace
3) insight and wisdom... Not my own
4) His mercy
5) the chance to do it again.. And again.. And again
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