I get to the end of most days knowing I missed out on so much. Overwhelmed by the details of everyday life, it’s so easy to miss the beauty that surrounds. Motherhood is basically a constant state of movement and chaos. We go from meal to meal; from the first little person who wakes our sleepy head to the last one we kiss goodnight.
The other day my babies {age 5 and almost 2} were holding hands in the backseat as we drove to dance class. For a while they simply sat there, quietly grasping their hands together. Then came the giggling. I’m not sure what my daughter was saying to her little brother but he thought it was hilarious. As they laughed together {still holding hands} a song played in the background,
“so picture all the best things in life, that’s what love looks like.” {Dara MacLean}
And time stood still. It truly felt like it stopped. My heart begged to have the moment linger forever but my head knew it wouldn’t be long before someone needed a drink or dropped their lovie.
It got me thinking. I’m tired of missing out. I’m tired of being so shadowed by my overwhelmed state that I race through the day to bedtime. I’m done with failing to savor the moment because I’m looking toward the next one. I am so over the attitude that rises in my spirit when I’m stressed and unsure of where the strength will come to deliver one.more.meal to their hungry bellies. . .to change yet another diaper. . .to wash one more load of laundry.
So how do we come out of the shadows? It’s a daily minute by minute decision to choose love and life over the thanklessness of stress and busyness. We must choose to live in the moment. We must choose to savor life. And we must be committed to doing whatever it takes to pull ourselves out of the dark and into the light of everyday blessings.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Colossians 4:2
The apostle Paul knew how to encourage the church to rise above their current state to a place of holiness. This verse comes at the end of a letter filled with instructions on how to live a holy life. His admonition is a beautiful summation that compels us to pray, be mindful and full of gratitude.
This, I believe, is the formula for a life lived in the light.
Have you been living in the shadows? What are some ways you have found to step into the light?
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