Enjoy the "Right Nows"

The past few weeks have been a little hectic getting ready for VBS, Family Camp and Kid's Camp. Paring all of that with the normal weekly responsibilities of children's ministry and attempting to spend daily time with the kids while they are on summer vacation has been a little overwhelming to say the least. I was fitting it all in, but I was not enjoying it at all, like I normally do. I was busy living for what came next on my list of responsibilities rather than living in, and enjoying the moment I was currently in. I was getting a little cranky around the edges too. My kid's kept asking me why I wasn't smiling. Apparently, I must smile quite a bit on a daily basis. I didn't realize that until now.

The past couple of days I have been "forced" to take breaks that I initially didn't want to take. Now don't take this negatively. "Forced" is a pretty ugly word when it is used to describe something that most people would look forward to and enjoy. Sadly though, I had become so focused on what was coming up next that I wasn't enjoying the "right now" at all. No wonder I wasn't smiling. You can't smile at the "right now" if you aren't even taking time to enjoy it. In my prayer time I have been asking God to show me how to smile again. I knew I was feeling a little down and I really couldn't put my finger on what was causing me to feel that way. I knew that the responsibilities of ministry have been a little heavy right now, but generally speaking that is something I thrive in. Ministry energizes me. It isn't something that takes away from me...or maybe it does sometimes and I never noticed before.

In the past four days, I have been "forced" to take some breaks. I "had to" visit a friend and mentor. I "had to" visit my step-sons. I "had to" go to a picnic on Cuba Lake and watch the fireworks. I "had to" go to my brother's house for a picnic and swimming. I "had to" take the kids to the movies. I "had to" go to a graduation party. Normally, these are all things that I love to do. There is never a "had to" about it, but I had become so focused on my "To Do" list that I wasn't taking full advantage of the rest, relaxation and refreshment in the things I "had to" do.  Today, after having spent the last four days doing things that I "had to" do, I found my smile again. It's not a half a smile or one put on just for my kids. It's back all the way.  Some lessons in life you have to learn the hard way. No matter how much ministry energizes me, I still need to take those breaks and stop to enjoy the "right nows". If you are feeling harried and hurried I encourage you to stop and take the time to enjoy right now. No "To Do" list is worth missing out on the right now that God has blessed you with.

Dancing at Kortnei's graduation party.