“So, are you ready for your kids to go back to school?”
I have two children, a 4th grader and 5th grader. We’ve enjoyed our summer. Much time was spent on the farm, as my son loves to drive the grain cart and both kiddos love to be with their dad during the workday. Much time was spent in water. Swimming pools, waterparks, swim team, lake time, you name it, we did it. We spent time visiting family in Michigan. The kids spent hours riding bikes and hanging out with neighborhood kids.
“So, are you ready for your kids to go back to school?”
I heard this question multiple times from people during the last week of July. We still had 3 full weeks of summer break. No, I wasn’t ready for my kids to go back to school. We read books. They camped in the tent in the basement. We lit off fireworks with my husband’s family. Kiddos completed a triathlon, we got together with our small group. We played on playgrounds, watched movies, read books, caught lightning bugs, did yard work, stayed up late, slept in late, at a lot of ice cream, played board games, and did life together.
I love my kids. But I’ll be honest, I’m not this super creative mom, nor would I even consider myself a hands-on mom. I don’t treat each moment like it’s special and precious. BUT throughout motherhood, I’ve been reminded to live intentionally paced.
What does it mean to be intentionally paced? To me, it means to remember that there is the same amount of time in each calendar day. It means to be fully present in the moment. It means to choose gratitude. It means that I recognize that God is in control of every situation, every timely moment with my children, and every disciplinary opportunity. It means that I recognize God’s presence in my priorities. It means that I share God’s love through every smile, hug, or cuddle moment (and we have a lot of that!).
What I’m trying to say is, it feels like our culture and society is always rushing for the next thing. Why do we look forward to the weekend when God is present in our work day? Why are we wishing our children were still babies, or pray for the day when our kiddos are back at school? Why do we always seek more, when we can be grateful for what we have RIGHT NOW?
The question posed was “so, are you ready for your kids to go back to school?” Guess what- I am. I was, actually. Because they started school today. I chose to pray with them, and for them, last night, that God would be honored through their school studies and attitudes this year. This morning, I greeted them with a smile and a high five before they biked to school. I welcomed them home with hugs and kisses and skittles (who doesn’t love a sugar boost in the afternoon??). I was ready, because it was the right moment to be ready. Because I am choosing to live intentionally paced. I shared this passage from Matthew 6 in one of our Sunday morning huddles, and I’d like to share it with you right now:
“What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax… people who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:30-34 MSG)
Let’s live this way. Let’s focus on what God is doing right now, let’s be ready for today.