For the last three years, I’ve gone to work on snow days. The boys stayed home. Little enough time to make Blue Cotton Hot Chocolate, no scrumptious scones, sitting long, talking much at the kitchen counter left me feeling unnaturally stretched – well, because that’s where the soul conversations seemed to happen – and working from 8 to 4:30 narrowed not just the time for big and little soul things, but the energy left over to live those pursue them rightly. Add soccer schedules, school events, and all the unplanned events – and time narrowed even more, leaving scant little room for the so very important little things that make such a difference in the big things.
“I was pushed back and about to fall,
But the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation”(Psalm 118: 13-14).
I realized in the last three years, that I’m not as good at multi-tasking the mom-spouse-me roles as I thought. I realized, also, that I need buffer time scheduled in my day to make room for the unexpected. I also need time to let my mind run down, pursue thoughts and ideas like rabbits through warrens. Not having that time left me feeling empty of myself. I already knew I wasn’t Super-Woman. I have peace to just be this blue cotton woman. Mostly, I knew that home needed more of the mama and the sweetheart.
“The Lord is gracious and righteous;
Our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the simple-hearted;
When I was in great need, he saved me.
Be at rest once more, O my soul,
For the Lord has been good to you” (Psalm 116:5-7).
Compressed time depressed the spilling of heart things – and these boys-to-men of mine need time to spill those things – in their own way, in their own growing-up-kind-of time. Boys need time for the words to ooze out, un-rushed, mostly unprompted. Trying to speed up communication pauperized conversation.
Time and energy – to also pick up on word cues, thrown out, trying to catch this mama’s attention, word cues that are nonchalant idea bait, indirectly saying, “A bit of help required.”
“He restores my soul” (Psalm 23: 3).
This mom needed time for those little things – time to sit long, talk much, time to think, time to match socks and wipe the counter down, time to soak in His word, time to love in all the love languages, time to not rush things that shouldn’t be rushed.
During the past two weeks, I’ve cooked a beef stew with mushrooms and carrots, scones and hot chocolate. There’ve been veggies, grilled cheese, cinnamon rolls at breakfast and homemade chocolate chip cookies after school – and a Soli Deo Gloria Homecoming cake.
This has been a God-In-It homecoming – a homecoming that I didn’t realize would be so important to me or to my family about 28 years ago.
My thoughts have chased ideas the rabbit warrens of my soul. There were 10 a.m. chess matches at the counter when my son’s friends dog-piled at out house for the snowstorm. The snow? A gift from God for this heart of mine.
“In my anguish I cried to the Lord,
and he answered by setting me free” (Psalm 118:5).
Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to you God alone for this homecoming. Thank you, Shaddai for setting me free – not because I’m somebody – because we know I’m just a simple, blue cotton woman. Thank you for setting me free because I’m yours.
Thanks be to God for his gracious gifts of snowstorms and celebrations, boys-to-men and conversations with loving mums. Heartwarming post. Thank you.
Thank you, Michelle!Sometimes a snowstorm contains beautiful blessing opportunities! Wishing you peace and blessing in your week!
“Thank you for setting me free because I am Yours.” These are powerful words, M. Words I’d like to really settle and ponder in my soul.
I used to think, Jenn, I had to be on the “inside” like Peter, James and John – and then, one day, He let me see that He had an inside spot for me – and everyone else – and He loves us just like Peter, James and John. That was a liberating moment in my life:) That revelation just seeped down into my soul and filled it up to overflowing! Let it seep down deep into your soul, Jenn – and rise up overflowing!
So deeply touched by this post and so very happy for you!! God is good ALWAYS! Much love. xoxo
It looks like we’re both walking through doors into new things God has planned for us – fulfilling things that require adjustments, tweaking, refittings – and refreshing, Beth! Soul refreshing!Shalom sweet friend!
Ah. You set my mind and soul at peace. I well remember the days of grabbing each role – mother, wife & lover, and ME. Me always fell to the end of the line. Then one day my mom said, “You know, if you don’t take excellent care of YOU, you aren’t really going to do a good job of taking care of everyone else.”
And I remember the day Alpha Hubby said, “God didn’t call you to do all these things you do. He called you to be His first. After that, He graces you to do what He needs you to do. Quit scheduling yourself to death. Live as His.”
I love the recipes (and am applying them immediately) but what about the wonderful cake?? It looks amazing. Thank you for inspiring, as usual!
Having time to balance each role – and that’s what we all need. My two youngest just did the love language test – and both of them are physical touch AND quality time – which means they need to be hugged with quality time spent on them. That means having time to do the little things – not to be confused with slavishly spending time. So, much to their consternation, they’re being hugged throughout the day, or backs scratched in passing – and cinnamon roles for breakfast – not an acts of service but a quality time hug! The wonderful cake is the best white cake ever – and much to my dismay, I do not have the recipe! – BTW – sounds like Alpha Hubby is one wise guy!
– I like that “Live as His” – that, my friend, is beautiful food for thought!
Beautiful. Profound. Simple. Thanks!! I used to love snow days and my three now grown sons and friends home…and always chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast before the shoveling.
Ah, you understand the language of chocolate chip pancakes! I have about 5 more years of making those for the boys! I know snow days will look much different then! Thank you for coming by and leaving such beautiful encouragement!
Oh, that cake you made is simply amazing!! I wish I could still eat grains and sugar!!
I wish I had made it Sheila – but there’s a lady here who makes specially delicious cakes – and this was such a big moment, that I ordered one to celebrate!
Maryleigh … these words took a hold of me – ‘Trying to speed up communication pauperized conversation.’
Yes, yes. With children, spouses, friends, those we cherish.
And online, too?
To take a deep breath, to pause, to focus on what matters most. Thank you …
I’m learning, Linda, to just let conversation unfold, to just wait. This is a slow, hard lesson for me. I would say, yes, for on-line, too! Shalom, friend!
Maryleigh
Beautifully written. Spending time with our children and being loving toward our husbands are God’s callings.
There’s a time and a season – and a beginning and end – to some journeys – so glad one journey has ended and another begun! Thank you for coming by! Shalom!
~Maryleigh
This is a wonderful post and one that makes me ponder the time for those important parts of life. I have no children, yet I have a precious husband. I met with a young woman yesterday for 2 hours and I was so blessed. I need that kind of time too. So glad you were a near-neighbor at Simple Moments.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Linda, what a blessing for you and the young woman yesterday. When you are called to be a Spiritual Mother to others, lives are changed – I know my Spiritual Mothers changed my life, brought me closer to the Father. This homecoming was all about one journey God sent me on ending and starting a new one. I’m not sure where He’s taking me, but the things He will show me – I feel a combination of excitement and trepidation – because these journeys are challenging journeys! Shalom, friend!
~Maryleigh
What a touching post! Thanks be to God, from whom all blessings flow! Thank you for sharing your testimony of homecoming. I pray it’s a blessing to many, as it was to me. I’m so glad you linked up with us at Grace & Truth!
I love how calming these photos are to look at.
Stay blessed under His grace! 🙂