MAKE MOMENTS MATTER

I am not perfect. Far from it…

There are moments that remind me of this time and time again. Take for instance, the start of each morning that I have work. I wake up and spend time with the Lord praying, in silence, reading the Bible and writing. It is there I lie in peace, hopeful for the day ahead, charged for whatever God has for me.

Then, I come downstairs…

 and like I do not know what lies ahead,

the hustle & bustle of the day soon hit me. As I try to cling to the cup that was filled during my quiet time, I am soon greeted with questions, requests, complaints and responsibilities.

My son immediately is the one to start talking like he has been up for hours listing dinosaurs and telling me about every Wild Kratt toy that exists and the newest adventure. Then, my daughter having some sleeping issues lately (that’s a story and topic for another week) comes down half asleep and no longer wants to wear the outfit we picked out for the day, declaring that she no longer likes any outfit that can be called fancy. Sigh! Then, my husband, who is usually the one full of jokes and fun, has a different side that faces him each morning too. (I mean he is the one who does the school drop offs and well, it is not the easiest of times. 

Stress and hurry soon fill the air. Drama tries to drain that cup too with issues such as…

Who doesn’t like apples today…

Who wants the television on…

Who wants it off…

Who no longer likes socks …

Who forgot that today is Show and Tell…

In the midst of it all, I kiss my kids goodbye. Sometimes, blowing a kiss to my husband from afar who still needs his coffee, as I jet out there to make it to work on time now (even though I thought I was ahead of schedule).

Time and time again…

the car ride then adds in taunting traffic and time to reflect. 

That is typically when I realize I don’t want mornings to be like that. I start to question…

Why didn’t I hug them longer? 

Why didn’t I take ten seconds to walk to my husband and kiss him goodbye?

And other questions too…

The moments escape me.

Yet, I often give myself grace, reminding myself I am doing a good job, but God guides me to be better too.

There are improvements to be made, lessons to be learned, forgiveness to pray for and new moments before me to embrace. 

That is when I may call my family and tell them an extra I love you. Then, I think ahead to our next trip together when we will have so much undivided time to catch up and slow down.

That is often when I am convicted by the Holy Spirit too that I MUST NOT WAIT.

Instead, I must 

fix my focus 

right here & right now. 

A perfect example of this is when I took a day off for a “Girls’ Day” with my daughter and she put things back into perspective for me. 

Kids are learning from us for sure. But they teach us too. 

A couple months ago, we took our kids to Disney for the first time. In many ways, it was a blessing to be able to have this opportunity and for my son to experience eating and ordering at restaurants. (Due to his food allergies of dairy, eggs and peanuts, he has not been able to do so in his eight years.) We were so grateful for such a place. I had never seen him smile so much. Therefore, when we came home, my son was already talking about wanting to go back, stating that more chefs around the country and world need to be like those in Florida. He was blessed by that vacation.

But my daughter had a different outlook on that trip…

She told us that she liked being home more and was not a fan of rides. She did like some characters such as the princesses but could stay away from the avatars, boldly stating, I am not going back. 

After spending a lot of money pouring into this vacation, she was not impressed and quite honestly, even if I did not know how to perceive it initially, it taught me. Kids can teach us all. It wasn’t that she was ungrateful instead there was something deeper and greater to be received from it.

Let’s skip ahead a bit…

Two months after that trip was her kindergarten orientation. Because of her nerves, even though it was a quick event, I took the day off and spent the day having a “Girls’ Day.” From meeting new teachers, seeing new classrooms, manicures and pedicures, lunch and ice cream, rocking out in the car, we had a blast. While we waited at a traffic light, my daughter declared in the cutest, most sincere voice, “Today was the best day of my life.” 

She could not be bothered by Disney again but the simplest of days was “the best day of her life.”

Presence over presents… 

Without even realizing it, my kids have been teaching me so much about this. In that moment with those seven words, my daughter innocently reminded me that bigger does not mean better and more does not mean more abundant.

It brought me to this verse,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬) 

In this chapter, Jesus teaches that He is the Good Shepherd. He laid down His life for us so we could live forever. God gave Him the victory over death. He holds the victory. He explains that no matter what comes against us, that truth is still true. God wants us to have an abundant life. However, abundance to the world is much different than what Jesus speaks of. To the world, it may be trips, fancy cars and anything that money can buy us. Those are fleeting items though. They are memories that may fade with time and although they are wonderful blessings, they may leave us waiting for the next trip or purchase when the emotions have faded. However, Jesus reminded us that He wants us to have abounding joy and this is only found through Him. It is a joy no one and nothing can steal.

I can imagine my daughter felt such joy in that moment and day because it was a day of making the most of the time we had together, making the most of the moments.

I want more of those moments no matter how hectic mornings, schedules, and life get…

I want to be the person who stops for the stranger who needs help. I pray to be her.

I want to be the person who stops to call a family member or friend when they feel the prompting. I pray to be her and ask for forgiveness when I fall short. 

The world conflicts with this type of lifestyle but Jesus called us to be like Him and that is how He lived. He did not allot what time would be for ministry. He walked in ministry and on mission. He made the most of the moments right before Him. 

While I was so humbled and appreciative by that day and time with my daughter, I was also convicted and started to feel guilty for the times I have fallen short. However, God wants us to live abundantly and not in the guilt and shame. 

Therefore, we can’t focus on what we didn’t or can’t do instead we must focus on what we can do right here and right now.

Where is our focus today? 

The enemy wants us to focus on what we don’t have. However, the Truth is we have so much because…

God is on our side. He holds everything we need. He equips. He guides. He forgives and He loves. He sets up opportunities all around us to walk in the purpose He has for our lives. We must be alert and ready. We must pray to be present…

Guilt and shame can come when we focus on what we didn’t do or what we can’t do but wish we could do. However, that is not productive for anyone and seeds of doubt are from the enemy trying to hold us back. 

We are called to forgive not just others, but also ourselves because the disappointment can make every day harder. It can make getting up heavier and harder but God makes the weight lighter and less if we lift it. 

Of course we are responsible for our actions of the past but we are also responsible for our actions of the now, the present.

So here is the The Art of a Messy House Right Here Right Now Mission for this week: 

Where is your focus? Are you living in the regret of the past or what cannot be done or in what can be done right now? Spend time asking God for guidance. Ask for forgiveness if needed and strength to move on. 

What is before you today? Who is before you today? Ask to see through the lens of Jesus. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you to obediently walk, present and ready. 

No more regrets;

only opportunities ahead because

time is money

but time is right before us too,

right here right now.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” ‭‭2 (Timothy‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” ‭‭2 (Timothy‬ ‭1:11‬ ‭NIV‬)

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ‭‭(James‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

““Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua‬ ‭24:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Dear God, 

My eyes are on You. Help my eyes stay there. Forgive me when I focus even for a moment on things that ultimately do not matter. I pray for my brothers/sisters in Christ. Please forgive us for the times we timidly walk in faith. Lord, make us bold. Remove any regret, guilt, doubt & anything that is not from You. Fill us Lord with Your love & Truth so we can focus on what we can do and what you have equipped us with right here and right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.