How often do we stop and just take in what is going on around us? Do it, right now. Take a deep breath and really look at what is going on around you. Stop. Smell. The. Roses.
Hard to do, huh? I usually have the non-stop chatter of my 2 1/2 year old ringing in my ears, which doesn't allow much time to stop and think for myself. Let alone stop and really notice life around me, as it is spinning so fast I can barely hold on to merry-go-round I seem to find myself on. Round and round life goes. Sometimes spinning so fast I don't know when or where I am supposed to get off.
Can you relate?
This past week, though, Kayla has been at her grandpa and grandma Kovanda's house for a week of "Granny Camp" with her cousins. What fun they had!! So, Audrey and I had a lot more quiet time. Plus a whole car ride to Missoula by ourselves, of which she slept most of the way.
Gave me time to pause that merry-go-round and get off for a bit. I gathered my thoughts again. Gained a bit of focus again.
I love being a mom. I love my kids. I am so blessed that I get to be a "stay-at-home" mommy. But how often do I miss the moments because life is going by so quickly? How often does my phone go off saying I have a text, phone call, or message I need to respond to? How often do I say to Kayla "just a minute, I'll do it in a minute." :)
Guilty. All too often. What would happen if I really stopped and lived in the moments more?
What would happen if I stop to give thanks for those moments. Even if they are hard, there is always something to be thankful for. After all, I have been given this life and those moments when I deserve death.
God has been working on my heart in this area.
It can be so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of life and to miss the moments. To miss the opportunities to be thankful for the small gift right in front of me.
Thankful for the unending grace that He gives so I can start over each day. Sometimes several times a day. Sometimes several times an hour. Thankful that He isn't finished with me yet!
Here's to taking more deep breaths and being thankful for the moments, whatever they may be.