Time To Turn The Page

There is a time for everything…Ecclesiastes 3:1

Have you ever noticed how things seem to change in bundles?  I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, it’s just an observation.  It’s almost time to say good bye to one of the calmest, most peaceful, prayerful, pleasant summers I can ever remember.  I got a lot of little projects finished, successfully ignored some icky projects, did some great reading and for the first time in my 22 years of parenting spent some time all alone in my house.  This was most likely the last summer everyone will be living at home so I completely enjoyed the minutes we all spent together…I especially loved the times we were all parked at the table together.  The supper conversation has changed dramatically over the years.  Not once this summer did I have to remind anyone to sit still, chew with your mouth closed, mind your manners or finish your vegetables.  There was a day when I didn’t think I’d ever get through a family supper without barking those words!  The truth is, some of my quietest moments were at the dinner table.  I was quiet because I enjoyed listening to my kids talk about work, school, careers, and sports.  There were so many minutes of complete blessing! It was such an awesome summer that about half way through I was afraid I wouldn’t want it to end but I’m ready to turn the page.

School starts on Tuesday and I have a feeling the peace and quiet that has surrounded me this summer will be gone in an instant.  It’s back to bells and voices and schedules and games and events and a new batch of middle lovelies every 50 minutes.  I will trade my quiet days of scrubbing, baking, reading and praying for days filled with energy, questions, lessons and loudness; and I couldn’t be more excited.  I’m excited for Jason and Kevin as they spread their wings and live without my cooking and expert laundry doing and I’m excited for Shannon and all the fun and excitement that comes with a senior year, but mostly I’m excited for the challenges and blessings God has in store for me.

I knew in order to make the transition from little to middle lovelies I had to turn school off for a while and find my peace and balance.  As humans we aren’t so good at that.  I’ve come to some conclusions. 1) Time doesn’t slow down; you have to do the slowing.  There will always be stuff going on but stillness is where God can find you and bring peace. 2) Things did get done without me.  I’ve never been very good at saying no but this summer I discovered that when you do, someone else says yes. 3) Life comes in stages just like books come in chapters.  You’ll never get to the great ending if you don’t keep turning the pages and following along. 4) My front porch is not just architecture and a lawn chair storage area…it’s for sitting, visiting, praying, writing and reading even in the middle of the day when there are chores to be done. 5) The more you make time for quiet stillness, the greater the peace; the greater the peace the greater the contentment and with contentment comes clearer perspective, less stress a more prayerful heart and a happier demeanor.  Who knew!

I feel a little like a lawn chair parked in the shallow ocean water.  Life is rolling by and changing but it’s washing over me like warm waves and a gentle breeze.  My prayer the first day of summer vacation was “God, help me be still, I’m lousy at it!”  Not only did he do what I asked, he has blessed me greatly while doing it.  Busy isn’t always a choice, but stillness is…perhaps the best choice we can make. 

A Seed To Plant:  As we head into this long holiday weekend, take some time to be still and pray about how you can incorporate some stillness into each week this fall.  It is possible if you want it to be and if you use that time to seek his will and his plan for your life you will be blessed abundantly!

Blessings on your day!