Our three-week vacation began by filling every open space in the van. Everything to be packed was laid out on the driveway, suitcases, food, Lego bins (yes, more than one), tents, coolers, computer bags, and even a fluffy green dinosaur. It looked to me as though none of it would fit. I considered what to bring back inside and leave behind. Feeling confident, my husband placed items in, one by one. Like an intricate, mind-bending puzzle, he packed everything in the car and it fit-even the pillow sized triceratops.
Driving down the highway, we chatted while the boys watched a movie. Looking out the window, I watched the miles of ranches and Florida plains pass by, a seemingly endless stretch of trees, grass, fences, and cows . Billboards advertising the adventures and dreams fulfilled ahead in Orlando stood out-of-place beside the grazing cattle.
I began to wish for a better view, something interesting to look at. As the acres of pasture land past my window, I thought about life’s journey. Everyday life isn’t always interesting. Sometimes, it is monotonous, routine, and even boring. Unexpected inconveniences interrupt and add to the daily frustrations and irritations of life. We long for a break, yet all we can see for miles ahead, is an endless plain of the same thing.
Is this all there is to life? Going to work, taking care of kids, folding endless loads of laundry, chores, appointments, and running errands, can all bore the senses. Occasionally, our routine is broken by experiences that entice or excite the senses. We attend a party, enjoy a hike in nature, or take a weekend trip away. Sometimes, we can live for those moments, counting downs the days until the next event on the calendar.
They say that the journey can be just as good as the destination. On our twelve-hour drive north, I just wanted to get there. I didn’t care to see another cow, lake, or palm tree. In life, we often rush through our days to get to the next exciting thing. We count down the hours until work is over, our husband returns from his job, or the weekend arrives.
But what do we miss when we push our way through the mundane and ordinary things of life?
I wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed in my own life by not living in today. Every time I look into tomorrow, planting my mind and heart there, I am absent from the present. When I long to be other than where God has placed me, I miss the gifts of the moment. I’ve passed by countless opportunities to learn, grow, stretch, and change. And how many hugs, smiles, tickles, jokes, sights, tastes, smells, and more have I lost when dwelling on the future rather than today?
What if we seized every moment and appreciated it for what it is-a gift? Even the boring, dull, monotonous, and thankless routines of life are blessings from our Father. Each breath is grace and every day brings new mercy. Perhaps if we opened our hands to receive these gifts each day, the path to joy will unfold before our eyes. Chores become opportunities to love and serve. Interceding in sibling rivalry becomes a teaching moment. Bored children become giggly wrestling opponents and snuggling appendages over a story read aloud. Appointments and errands become an open door to blessing a stranger. Work becomes a place where we glorify God.
And life becomes a joy to live.
I looked out the window at the seemingly endless miles of ranch land, cluttered with trees, grass, and cattle, and chose to seize the moment. I pulled out my journal and began to write about what I saw…
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Counting all as joy (#1783-1794)
Our daily routines
laundry, dishes, errands, and cleaning
a family to serve
seeking joy in the mundane
comforting my kids when they are scared
homeschool ideas found on Pinterest
receiving a bouquet of flowers and gift card for a pedicure-just because
oatmeal casserole
homeschool fun: baking a cake and decorating it like the earth
mucinex D-how else could I have gotten through the week?
a weekend of rain from TS Isaac= a reason to stay indoors
Linking up with my friends at:
Important reminder! I am definitely one to be looking towards the next big thing rather than enjoying the simple gifts of every day life.
The next big thing consumes much of my time. And my kids are growing fast. Thankful for grace that helps me to see the beauty in the everyday. Thanks for visiting!
Missing the gift of moments….ah yes, I know this all too well.
Me too. And I’ve missed way too many. Thanks for stopping by Denise.
I so live for the exciting moments, often missing much right before me. Great post!
It’s hard not to. Excitement is enticing. Praying that I will see the exciting in the everyday moments as well. Blessings!
I have been thinking about this today: “Every time I look into tomorrow, planting my mind and heart there, I am absent from the present.” This can be a really easy trap for me to slip into, especially when I’m missing my family and missing my home. Where in Florida do you live? My home is Tampa.
We are on the other side in WPB:)
Beautiful! I grew up in Palm Beach County, and all my dad’s family is there in WPB/Lake Worth. Miss that.
Hi Christina - I often have to remind myself not to wish my time away, to get somewhere else or bypass something unpleasant. Another blog reminded me recently that each of my steps is ordered by the Lord. He has a purpose for every minute of my life. Great reminder Christina
God bless
Tracy
Yes, every minute. And when I focus on the future instead of this minute, I’m not living out his purpose for me…Wishing time away, good phrase. I do that a lot:)
Just wanted you to know that I nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award because I love to read your posts. You can find out about it on my post, “Unexpected Blessings” at illumylife.wordpress.com. Blessings.
Joy
You are so sweet! Thanks!
We are on the same page here, Christina! It really is all about perspective isn’t it? And choosing to embrace all that God has for us.
Yes, perspective and choosing to enjoy what He has given us. In embracing every moment, we experience the fullness of His blessings for us. So glad you stopped by!
Oh yes. Amen to all of this.
I’ve been thinking a lot about light lately. And how He is the light of the world. And light cannot be stored really. It has to be used in the present…no guarantees for tomorrow…anyway. Striving with you to live today in His light.
So true about light! May His light shine truth on us today, revealing the riches of His love. Blessings to you!
Beautiful reminder to look for the joy in every single moment. It really is a gift, if we just slow down long enough to appreciate on the blessing. Thanks for linking up Christina!
Too often I am like my children opening presents. Ripping the paper off, glancing at the gift and tossing it aside for the next one. Gratitude takes time to appreciate the gift in our hands before moving on to the next one.
Love your list, especially “a family to serve.” I have been thinking about you and praying for your family with the hurricane. I wasn’t sure where you all lived, but I am praying!!
Thanks, we weathered through Isaac as a tropical storm. It was pretty harsh then, I’m sure it is much worse as a hurricane. Thanks for thinking of us:)
Loving your summer snapshot! I’m guilty of pushing through the mundane to get to the meaningful and therefore missing the meaningful. Oh, the cycle.
It is a cycle isn’t it? I have to choose each moment to break that cycle. Thankful for His strength working through me and that I’m not alone. Thanks for visiting!
Oh, I needed this this week! Such a beautiful reminder! Thank you so much!
Thanks for stopping by, Mary. I always appreciate your visits:)
It’s true, so true. The times I’ve stopped to enjoy the mundane moments are the ones that bring me the most joy - sitting at the top of the stairs waiting to leave for the store, accepting pretend “food” to eat from my 3 year old, instead of wishing we could hurry up and go. Thank you for this fantastic reminder!