can wait.
It can simply wait.
Those dishes? Or the pillows that fell off the couch? Or the Lincoln Logs that need to go back in the box? Or the mirror that needs to be wiped? Or the laundry that should be switched?
That can wait.
It’s okay.
Yesterday was our first day back to our homeschool routine. I had spent hours the day before planning the week — with a hand drawn chart (no fancy charts for me) — so I was ready to go. We had our agenda. The kids were eager. As was I, despite that awful aching back and shoulder that pestered me throughout the day.
But, I had to fight myself.
Many times I had to stop from doing just that one thing. I’d see a couple of dishes and want to take care of them — while my kids would wait. Or I’d feel myself frustrated over the blankets on the floor. Or I’d tell them I’ll be right back and just spend what I thought was a couple minutes picking up stray legos in the boys’ room.
I made myself wait.
We have times during our day dedicated to chores and cleaning. I knew they were there, and yet I wanted to take care of everything and have the house closer to perfect.
But I waited.
This is terribly challenging for me. Yet, I knew that I was to focus on them, and the weather cycle, and those division problems, and that literature, and reading to my little ones. They trump. They are simply more important than quick washing those dishes + folding the laundry + just a short vacuum + one quick phone call = time away from them. When we as a family work together doing our chores and tidying it only takes 30 minutes. Why on earth was I trying to pull myself from my kiddos to clean?
There is contentment found in waiting.
After about 8 times of battling myself and forcing myself back to the table I began to feel flooded with relief. I didn’t realize how much I used busy work to pull me away from the real important. I’d make excuses in my head — what if someone comes over? or I can’t function with 4 dirty dishes on the counter — and yet they were just excuses to avoid doing the hard work.
Hard work that is fruitful. And beautiful.
This work involved me sitting beside them. Laughing as we read together, marveling as we drop vinegar on certain rocks which causes a reaction causing them to bubble, have encouraging words as my seven year old works hard on reading, playing trains over and over.
And gradually this work made my heart content.
I was content to let my “busy” agenda go.
And then they were content.
18 comments
I sure do miss the days of schooling my kids when they were young, we had so much fun! I would take them outdoors for science and we would hike in the mountains for hours discovering all kinds of neat stuff. My advice to you is forget about the house andall the chores that never end and really enjoy these days while your kids are young because times flies and they will be grown up and the schooling really changes. My son is doing grade 10 and doesn’t really need me any more and my daughter is going out the door this very morning to her very first university class. Bitter sweet times for me.
Thanks for the reminder of how fun home schooling really is!
God Bless,
<><
Still praying for your shoulder.
UGH! that is a challenge for me too. I will consistently put off doing other things–even things I enjoy and WANT to do–to complete chores. This is an issue that I am working on this year.
I love your blog–it always makes me think and consider my actions.
As a thank you, I am passing you the “stylish blogger” award. you can grab the award button off my blog at http://garciamania.blogspot.com (or you can have Hannah grab it for you–:)
blessings,
Tracey
OH MY GOSH! This is the same for me!It took everything in me to first of all keep the kids on track because of having such a long break but ME TOO! I did do it but it was tough, and then after we were done late afternoon we all pitched in and got done what I was fighting to do ALL day! Hope today goes better for both of us (smile)
I don’t have the privilege of homeschooling my children. But I can imagine there are many things in your day that grab for your attention. I really admire you, how you always put your children first. They are so blessed to have you as their mom!
Oh Rachel, I do the same thing! I let so many unimportant things distract me and find it so hard to just sit during schoolwork.
Great post, thank you for sharing! I find at times it is of great benefit to our own well being when we let go and just do the things that brings us the peace that God wants us to have!
God’s Blessings to you and your wonderful family!!!
Lon
I can only imagine! I have so much respect for you hard working homeschooling Moms!
Beautiful reminder for me too, Rachel. There are always other things to be done, but it requires an immense amount of self-discipline for me to focus on what is vital and necessary… Still working on that one 🙂
On the humorous side, I tell the kids we work on the triage system around here. As a fellow mom of 7, you can relate!
What a lovely reminder! I awarded you a Stylish Blogger award. Details on my blog. I hope you get many new visitors to this special blog.
I needed to read this today! It’s been so easy to get so busy with the less important things around here…
Thank you for this post! It has come at a perfect time for me. I am a high school sophomore, so I am facing a different kind of waiting. I have been facing a lot of waiting lately, and so the line there is contentment found in waiting really resonated with me. Thanks again!
I love your descriptions of what is left undone. That could be my house you are talking about 🙂
The older I get the more I realize the need to relax and play ~with~ my children. It’s the letting go of the messes and pressure of all that (especially when they are little) and enjoying them as you have done. Then when they get older you have helpers who LOVE you and want to help you.
Such a blessing~ Cinnamon
I have the urge to do busy work all the time. I know if I sit with the kids for 15 mins or longer and spend quality time with them I will actually get more done in the long run. Why can’t women sit and relax and let things go? Men are great that way, I guess it’s their one track mind!
this was a perfect post for me. today i worked extra hard on colors, numbers, with Hunter and read them lots of books. it was wonderful. i love the peace that contentment brings! praying, still, for your pain to be gone!
Continuing to pray!
Psalms 27:1, 4-5 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?…One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
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I’ve still got two kids home from college. Went home yesterday just to hang out with them for a while. One leaves Sunday, the other on Monday. Have to capture the time with them now, just like you did. Good post.
Post. So. Needed. Today. 🙂
It’s amazing the burden I get for scrubbing the toilet, whenever an important task needs my focus-even if that important task is as joyful as BEING with my little ones.
Thank also for dropping by my blog. You are my very first commenter. EVER! I appreciate the encouragement and am so very happy to have found your blog. Happy Wednesday, Gena