Hurry Up

Come on! Hurry up! We have got to go!
Why am I in such a hurry all the time? Where am I actually going?

I just finished a book about simple living. And it was really about simple living needs to start in your heart. It was more about taking the time to enjoy the people in your life and to enjoy being with yourself, instead of how to organizing or schedule. It was actually more about NOT scheduling. To really take a look at your to do list and activities and see what in there is life-giving. And what could - or should - be removed.

I have been trying to slow down over the last few weeks. Moving so slowly, that I couldn't get this blog finished. Haha. (Well, yeah.)

It's not that I'm always running late - well, I am sometimes. I have plenty of time to get where I need to be, but then I think I have more time than I actually have, and I add a task here and there. Oh, I could do this "really quickly" - and "really quickly" is much longer than I really account for. So then I end up in a rush - and then subsequently, end up being late. And that leads me to telling the kids to hurry all the time. Maybe sometimes we do need to be in a hurry. But why?

I really desire to be with my kids in the moment. And if I'm pushing them out the door all the time, there isn't much time to just BE. And after thinking about it, there are so many times that I am telling the kids to hurry - and there is NO reason to rush. There is really no where to be at that time. We aren't late. I'm just wanting them to hurry - and hurry for me. Where is my patience in my parenting?

I guess I'm just wanting to move faster then they are moving. I do have an inner momentum that is going at breakneck speed most of the time. So what I've been doing the past week or so is trying to slow down that inner rhythm. The one that is rushing me to keep going and do something. Even when I'm sitting down, I feel rushed to get on with the next thing. And in this slowing, it is really doing wonders for my day - and my mind. I am calmer. I can deal with the little things as they come along [and in saying that, this IS a work in progress, so there is work to be done!!] I don't feel bad if I spend time running through the house playing hide and seek with the kids and a few chores get left on the list for the next day. By slowing down from the inside, I am really able to see what matters. I am taking pauses during the day - to sit, with the kids or with a book. To have a cup of coffee. To just sit down!! Instead of just waiting to rest at the end of the day - basically sprinting to the finish, I'm taking a pause and recharging throughout the day. This pausing part is definitely a work in progress. I'm still not sure what this will look like day to day with little ones at home.

And to make this kind of slow rest be a part of our family, we are implementing Sabbath rest to our Sundays. Preparing for Sabbath throughout the week, so that Sunday looks different than every other day. Not only going to church for worship and fellowship, but being sure to rest and recharge our whole selves. No chores or errands - and maintaining the house (like doing dishes) kept at a minimum. We will be doing things that are fun, healthful and restful - individually and as a family.

It's going to be hard to slow down (and maintain it) during the week - and really hard to pretty much stop on Sunday. This is a new frontier that I am embarking on - and there is so much to learn. But it's something that I so want to do - and need to do. So I am now going to hurry up - and slow down!