Breathe . . .
It’s a simple word with a powerful intention. Gone are the long lists of resolutions, gone are the goals and the shoulda, coulda, woulda’s. Don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of lists and plans. There are grocery lists, to do lists, lists of things to buy, phone calls to make and bills to pay. My lists are typically much longer than my days.
This year I refuse to be defined by these lists. These lists do not prove my worth, my importance, my contribution. All those lists have helped me discover is that the longer my list the tighter the pain in my chest. I keep lists out of necessity because there are many demands on a day, many objectives in a week. It’s an essential part of being a mother, wife, writer, friend. My day is part strategist, coordinator, nurturer, and life organizer.
It’s a privilege to be my children’s mom. To hold their hands, listen to their fears, correct homework, find socks, turn their dreams into piano practice and robotics camp, nudge their friendships and feed their bodies, souls and spirits. As my oldest nears her teenage years I realize time is flying and these central tasks of my life will be over in a heartbeat. This year I made a list of all the needs that were on my plate and I prayed for the courage to cross off the ones that could survive without me. Honestly, only one really got a clean line through it. One idea I’ll leave for another year and another season. But this permission to be less gave me the gift of space. A little room in the schedule to seek wholeness, find renewal.
Last year was demanding. Portions of life overflowed and sucked dry all my good intentions. Simply surviving became the biggest need on the list. We’ve had years like this in the past, years that leave you weak kneed and weak hearted. Last year left a mark on my soul, it broke an essential part of my heart that desires to connect with others. Perhaps I over used it? Expected too much out of it? Simply didn’t believe that this part so central to my personality could unravel and fade away. Restoration now sits prominently on my list. This year was birthed in a deficit and it’s very clear that there needs to be room for being filled up, being fed, caring for my soul, body and heart in ways that honor God and brings life to my family.
A friend recently asked me if I had a vision for this new restoration. I was touched at the depth of her question and humbled to realize that I did. It starts with prayer and it spills into asking for help, admitting the needs and broken places. It rests on personal responsibility and prioritizing health, spiritual, physical, emotional. It’s remembering that all the little choices add up and become our legacy.
So today I choose to simply breathe.
“ Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Mathew 6:25-20
