My Beautiful Mess

Well, life has been in full swing around my home. My husband surprised me with a wonderful 10 year anniversary weekend this past weekend at a local B&B in a great historic mansion near downtown. He even took me to a shop called The French Cowgirl and to see the movie Hairspray -and he enjoyed both! Though I am sure he would hate to admit it! But he is a keeper, let me tell ya!

Then I have been trying to cram the last bit of summer into the beginning of the week because…..my eldest started kindergarten today yesterday! Yesterday On Tuesday, we went to the “dinosaur museum” and had a picnic and playtime at a great park nearby the museum. I LOVED that time with the boys! So much fun enjoying time together, not needing to be anywhere at any certain time, doing what we felt like we wanted to do next.

But today starts a new “season” for us - Fall tends to be the busiest time of year for us and yet my most favorite. I tend to see themes develop in my life at times, and the theme of this upcoming season appears to be shaping up as “Be present.” Our new church has been talking a lot about being the church rather than just doing church. And this Sunday, the message (which was brought to us not only by our pastor but by 3 fellow believers) spoke about being fully present in the today that you have. You can read more in a blog post here, but this thought really resignated with some things God has been speaking to my heart lately.

I have a tendency - well, probably “tendency” is too light of a word - I have a hang-up about being organized. I am a list maker, a planner, a schedule maker, I love calendars. I think that is why days like yesterday Tuesday with the boys becomes such a treasure for me. I was not thinking ahead, I was just being with them, watching them explore and enjoy and learn. I didn’t have to think very hard, and I didn’t have to be anything or do anything I didn’t want to be or do.

And so I’ve been thinking, perhaps God wants us to approach all days like that. I’m not saying throw the schedule out and do what you please (that would completely do me in!) but what if we actually enjoyed the day, being present with all that each day has to offer. The opportunities that God gives us to love and laugh and learn and live! To incorporate all that has been and all that will be and make it a part of how we live out today. Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

But do we have joy in the days of this life? Not just when something good happens or if it is a day of a celebration or if it is all about me. Am I living a full life? Not just filling it up for the sole purpose of it being full. But participating in all that God has planned for me this day. That’s what I want to do. So my “be present” practice starts now….how ’bout you?