"Wherever You Are, Be All There"

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
J.R.R. Tolkien

In Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts" she quotes from "The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Your Sabbath" by Mark Buchanan.

He writes, "Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing. . . Through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away."

I surely have been guilty of rushing - of trying to finish one thing so I could move on to the next. I've often missed out on fun moments with my kids because I was too busy finishing up. Too often I've been in a hurry to get them into bed so I could rest. I wonder how many moments I've missed because I didn't take the time to read one more story or to lie on the bed for a few minutes. 

Ann quotes Elisabeth Elliot, "Wherever you are, be all there." When we give our full attention, time slows and we can live fully in the moment.

As Jesus was faced with feeding the 5,000 with only 5 loaves and 2 fish, He first gave thanks and then there was enough! (John 6:11) "Thanksgiving creates abundance." (pp. 71-72)

So my list of thanks continues. And the more I choose to live in the moment, the more there is to be thankful for.

26. Receiving a loving note from my son written to me while in line at the store: “Dear Mom. i hope you like this note. Mom you are the best mom ever. i love you. By: Josh”

27. Dinner date with my son; he said, “It’s not a date, it’s just a dinner together.”

28. My girl’s voice on the phone saying good night; first time spending the night at a girlfriend’s house

29. Resting at home after two busy days

30. Hubby’s procedure went well; good report

31. My girl running out the door to give me a BIG hug when I came to pick her up from her sleepover

32. Kids excited to go to the library

33. The silence of both kids reading their books and enjoying them

34. Going to bed with all four of us under the same roof ; all is right in my world

35. Family Day!

36. The comfort and safety home brings

37. Friday - the end of the school week and beginning of the weekend

38. The Armor of God’s protection over the attack of the enemy

39. Gratitude expressed from my daughter

40. Pizza/Movie night with Dr. Pepper treat!

41. Spending the day at my parents’ house with all the special mothers in my life

42. Mother’s Day - long nap; hubby cooked for me; hugs and kisses from my son; snuggling with my daughter on the couch and her calling sitting with me “the place of honor”; special card from my hubby

43. Patience and perseverance with a strong-willed child

44. Talapia fish tacos - yummy!

45. A language assignment done well after a lot of fuss

46. Hugs and kisses from my strong-willed child

47. “This is my favorite” from a picky eater

48. Music. . . Helped the school day to pass more quickly. . . Why didn’t I think of that sooner?!

49. Another trip to the library. . . My girl picked out too many books to check out at once. . .now that’s a good problem!

50. Tucked up on the couch with my two kiddos reading; only the sound of pages turning for an hour!


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