Taking Time for Little Things
Have you ever been surprised by what makes your kids happy?
They’re excited by little things.
Soap bubbles galore while doing dishes.
Animal sightings in the yard.
$2 glow in the dark star stickers for the bedroom ceiling
Picking wildflowers.
Skipping rocks.
Riding bikes, playing in the yard.
Eating lunch on the back porch.
Swinging, climbing trees.
Motherhood isn’t as hard as we make it. It we’d just maximize our own enthusiasm for life, our kids would surely follow suit, because they’re easy to please and enthralled by life.
Children catch your enthusiasm for life, mom. (Or they catch your complaining about life. They’re great mimickers.)
When did we get so busy that we no longer notice the sunset? When did we become so enthralled in the here and now that we miss little things, like bubbles, stars and people. How did life become so heavy that we fail to smile and choose joy?
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God…” is an attitude adjustment verse for me.
Being fully engaged with the little people all around you is a privilege. It’s no accident. You’re here to point them to Him. And if you’re too busy to notice them, their little interests, and enjoy life with them, then your job is going to be impossible.
If you are living life like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, relax! God’s in control. He’s spinning the planets and holding us all together.
Today, take time for little things. Give thanks. Make your thankfulness and enthusiasm for life contagious. Laughter begets laughter. Wonder begets wonder. And while you’re enjoying the little things with your little ones, remember to point them to the good and gracious God who gave us a the little things freely to enjoy. Everyday talk about God is often the most effective way to train hearts.
Have a great day!
The kids do mimic us, Sarah. I hope ours have grown up seeing our faith as joyful; it is good to revel in the good things God blesses us with!
It would be a great study to do someday…how much of our kids behavior is learned/inherited vs. how much is personality. So much of the atmosphere of home is up to the parent. 🙂
This is so good and exactly what I needed to read. But how do you do this when you’re exhausted and sleep deprived from being up in the middle of the night with a baby and needing to care for older children? I’m trying to figure that out 🙂
I think it’s less about “doing” and more about “being.” Sometimes just noticing little things and thanking God for them is a great “mood” booster. 🙂 Count your blessings, name them one by one…:)