Being Present

I have these moments - not consistently but with some regularity - that feel like time is just flying by. The pace makes me wonder if I might be missing something along the way. It probably has something to do with my kids. Annika lost, yet another, tooth this week. Bjorn's projected to be Max (from Wild Things' fame), which is a return to his first-ever Halloween costume as a 2 year old. He doesn't remember it. 2002 was 7 years ago! And this week, I'm preparing for this Sunday, which happens to be the first day of NOVEMBER!! What happened to 09?!?!

Life happens so fast. If you’re a parent, our cubs go from teething to crawling to talking. Then Blink, they're starting school. Blink, they start driving. Blink: they're off to college. I'm learning the discipline of being fully present. While they're not driving or heading off yet, I want to be fully engaged today. I think I have to for it to be fully meaningful. Sometimes it doesn't look like a monumental outing as much as it does mundane activity. Sometimes it feels like work. But it is good. I like to think of it as building a life together. For us, it means we housekeep, eat out, run errands, play, entertain, and/or host others TOGETHER. Every meal, bedtime prayer, morning routine, holiday celebration, day off together is a building block.

Peanut Butter toast in the morning as we go over spelling words is something I CHERISH. It's the ministry of presence. It's who God is with me whether I'm mindful or not. But my faith feels way more meaningful when I'm aware. So does family life.

Seems like we're all in a season of life where our margins feel small. Priorities are shifting. Responsibilities are mounting. And opportunities for something else are plentiful. And yet, I find myself...satisfied. I like what we – as a family, as a faith community – are building together. It’s not perfect, seamless, or less of a work out. But, here again, it is good. I think the point of a community of faith is that we walk together in support and solidarity. We celebrate as much as we learn along the way. We give as much as we receive. And, we remain fully present in effort, if not a need, to serve.