I am a grandmother, and frankly, I make no apologies. This Works For Me.
When the baby grands visit, time stands still. Agendas are put on the back burner. Schedules are suspended. Phone calls are not taken. Twitters are ignored. Email sits in the inbox. Facebook spins in cyberspace without my input. For that time, I (and Craig, if he is home) am in the moment-lost in a world viewed from the floor.
My boys are grown up. Raised and released into the adult world. Married and raising babies of their own. Gentle mommy reader, may I encourage you to stop more often to sit in the floor and play. Enjoy these moments. Although it does not seem like it if you have little ones, mothering has a shelf-life. It is not a "forever job." It is a holy occupation, but it will come to an end when your children leave home. That day is coming . . . and sooner than you would believe. Don't let the moments of joyful play pass you by because of a long "to-do" list. These moments are evaporating and they cannot be regathered. My philosophy when my boys were young - "I am raising boys into men. I am not raising a house." A house can wait. A boy will not!
I am not suggesting that you are slothful or careless with your home and other responsiblities. I AM saying that keeping a "perfect" house (or any other time consuming task) is a sad tradeoff for impacting your children with your faith and values. Faith is much more easily transferred to the next generation through the day to day moments - as we live out the reality of the life of Jesus Christ in us. When we walk by the way. When we rise up. When we lay down (See Deut 6). As we go. We share Jesus. Casually. Faithfully. Prayerfully. The window of time when children are teachable is short. Don't waste it. Play often. Pray always.
This Works For Me. Consider my words carefully and see if it Works For You too. For more Works For Me, click here to go to We Are That Family. Blessings.