Picnic in the Playroom

Normal winter days, here in the Northwest,

are cold and rainy. . . 

although we have had a good number of sunny ones lately. 

I'm quite a wimp to the cold though, 

and I don't think the kids have completely gotten use to it either. 

Whit came to me last week and said,

"Can we have a picnic in the playroom?"

(No mention of even trying it outside :)

I think she expected me to say "no" because

when I answered "yes" she was ecstatic! 

I've been trying hard to say "yes" to the children's 

requests, even if it would be easier for me to say "no." 

Especially requests that involve creative play,

helping in the kitchen, and my time :) 

So Ellie and I made up a picnic lunch for them,

put it in our basket,

got out the picnic quilt,

and off they went! 

It was so worth the "yes"
for me to see the simple joy it brought them.
Of course, since the picnic was right by the bookshelf,
they naturally started reading afterwards! 

O how I want to live fully in the moment, not feeling so busy that I can't meet

reasonable requests of my children. Requests that will bring me and them joy. 

I mentioned earlier that I've started reading Ann Voskamp's book

One Thousand Gifts.

It has done my heart good. I'm reading it slowly, even wanting to go back and reread.

It reads like poetry, so for me to grasp it fully, that's how its got to be done. 

One particular chapter entitled "sanctuary of time" really encouraged and challenged me.

"Time is a relentless river. It rages on, a respecter of no one. 

And this, this is the only way to slow time: 

When I fully enter time's swift current, 

enter into the current moment with the weight of all my attention, 

I slow the torrent with the weight of me all here. 

I can slow the torrent by being all here. 

I only live the full life when I live fully in the moment. 

And when I'm always looking for the next glimpse of glory, I slow and enter. 

And time slows. 

Weigh down this moment in time with attention full, 

and the whole of time's river slows, slows, slows. (pg. 68)

O Father, may I be all here. Forgive my distraction. 

Forgive my busyness, especially at the expense of my children. 

Thank you for sweet moments of togetherness. 

Help me to always be looking for the "next glimpse of glory"

~the blessings upon blessings upon blessings

that you bestow upon me. 

How great Thou art!

Amen