She told me that when she was mothering she never looked far into the future. In fact, she focused on the work at hand THAT day and not much beyond. She mentioned that she thinks younger mothers today focus way too hard on the future and are being robbed of the present joys. She is very realistic about the trials of raising small children, but in her wisdom and with hindsight as her best tool, she always encourages me and my sisters to enjoy TODAY. She knows the cycle of life's events and knows what really is important.
With that, I thought often about TODAY. I said to myself that I can do anything TODAY. I can clean that closet TODAY. I can school our children at home one more time TODAY. I can do several loads of laundry TODAY. I can make dinner TODAY. We can run several errands TODAY and not get overwhelmed TODAY as what if all I had was TODAY. If I knew that for sure, boy would everything seem so small. I would just sit back and enjoy them.
With that said, I hope to attempt to live TODAY everyday. I want to develop the habit especially with a new one coming and the events that come with a newborn to focus on just TODAY. Be it being awake all night with the baby or whatever comes about, I hope to say to myself, "I can do this TODAY one more time."
That is a good and encouraging thought. My husband tends to get too focused on the future, i.e. "when they're older" "when they can help more" "when they are in college". Sometimes it drags me along and then I look at my three ages four and under (and the two in my womb) and realise that today, they are what they are. Small children. And that is my work, today. If I do my work today well, the future will be bright. Worrying about it won't make it good, but doing today's work as if it was my only work will.
ReplyDeleteI love you and your mother's insight. You have such a beautiful life and you radiate so much peace and joy.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am a young mother with little ones and needed to hear this! Your blog posts are such gems and gifts to me!
ReplyDeleteI love your mum! One day it is my intention to be the kind of mother who has wisdom to offer and a relationship with my children that means we have mutual respect. But that can start here and now. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this TODAY :)
ReplyDeleteI needed to hear this. Yesterday i was focusing so much on tomorrow I became quite overwhelmed. Having not the best homeschooling day I couldn't help but think in four years I will have a a third grader, a second grader, and a kindergartener all at once. I thought, "How can I possibly do that?" You have beautifully reminded me that who knows what I can do in four years! I need to focus on today, not four years from today.
ReplyDeleteGod bless and thank you!
Ahhh.. The wisdom of your sweet Momma. I remember her imparting the same wisdom when I visited once when your dad was very sick... her constant was to focus on what was required THAT MOMENT... to answer the door, to get a glass of water, to live each MOMENT as Jesus had given it to her. I have always wanted to be just like her (and you!) : ) Have a wonderful day Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteYour mom is a wise woman. It's so easy to get caught up in looking toward the future when a beautiful today is sitting right in front of us waiting to be noticed!
ReplyDeleteI think I will have to only allow myself to read your blog once a week, because I need that long to chew on the gems you give: I'm still processing "do I manage my children?"
ReplyDeleteOddly enough my husband gave me similar advice to your mothers when I told him "Babe, I need a peptalk" before I start this day.
This offered me so so much encouragement today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please keep posting wisdom and encouragement. It is hard to come by these day. Yes, focusing on today and this days work is so less burdensome.
ReplyDeleteMeghan
Ahh I love Mechie! I love her advice and I too soak it up each time I get to talk with her. Thanks for sharing her wise words! Kitty
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