The ritual of slowing down.
When we went to the DR, we often saw men in their chairs, sitting outside, watching as the children played. They sat with their spouses or their neighbors, unhurried and un-worried.
I want to be more like them. I want to slow down enough to see the people around me. To see needs. To see joy. To see blessings. I want to teach my kids that they don't have to rush from one activity to another. In a world where busy-ness is king, how do we intentionally un-busy ourselves?
One thing our family tries to do in the morning (it worked when we had a 5 minute commute instead of a 35 minute one) is to circle up and
pray for unreached people groups. We open our little Bible app and read a verse. Just one. Then, we open up our Joshua Project app and pray for a people group in another part of the world- we pass around the phone to see the photo. Today it was an old man clothed in blue: a Shilha Berber from Morocco. I hope this slows us down enough to give us perspective. Perspective that there is a big world with a lot of people-- and a lot of needs.
Another tradition: taking time to write notes and send presents for Operation Christmas Child. We each filled a shoebox-- and I hope that this is something my kids look forward to each Christmas season-- the act of giving, not just the season of "getting".
Another way we try to slow down? We try and say no to more things. I love people, but I know that I need to be alone to refuel sometimes. My kids sometimes need a PJ day (so I let them skip school- yeah I do!)
I am a planner by nature, my mind moves a million miles a minute-- so even though my body stops to sit, I am still trying to convince my eyes to see and my heart to perceive what is right here. now. at this moment.
What do you see?
When we went to the DR, we often saw men in their chairs, sitting outside, watching as the children played. They sat with their spouses or their neighbors, unhurried and un-worried.
I want to be more like them. I want to slow down enough to see the people around me. To see needs. To see joy. To see blessings. I want to teach my kids that they don't have to rush from one activity to another. In a world where busy-ness is king, how do we intentionally un-busy ourselves?
One thing our family tries to do in the morning (it worked when we had a 5 minute commute instead of a 35 minute one) is to circle up and
pray for unreached people groups. We open our little Bible app and read a verse. Just one. Then, we open up our Joshua Project app and pray for a people group in another part of the world- we pass around the phone to see the photo. Today it was an old man clothed in blue: a Shilha Berber from Morocco. I hope this slows us down enough to give us perspective. Perspective that there is a big world with a lot of people-- and a lot of needs.
Another tradition: taking time to write notes and send presents for Operation Christmas Child. We each filled a shoebox-- and I hope that this is something my kids look forward to each Christmas season-- the act of giving, not just the season of "getting".
Another way we try to slow down? We try and say no to more things. I love people, but I know that I need to be alone to refuel sometimes. My kids sometimes need a PJ day (so I let them skip school- yeah I do!)
I am a planner by nature, my mind moves a million miles a minute-- so even though my body stops to sit, I am still trying to convince my eyes to see and my heart to perceive what is right here. now. at this moment.
What do you see?