Monday Mom Meditation: 3

“But you can’t have yes without no. Another way to say it: if you’re not careful with your yeses, you start to say no to some very important things without even realizing it. In my rampant yes-yes-yes-ing, I said no, without intending to, to rest, to peace, to groundedness, to listening, to deep and slow connection, built over years instead of moments.” -Shauna Niequist

I will be honest with you. It is really hard for me not to put “mothering” on a list.

I am a list person. I like to get sh!t done!

Sometimes, I will try and work mothering into my day, similar to my time with the Lord. If I put it on my list, it is more likely to get done. There is nothing wrong with this, per say, but I think sometimes the Lord likes to talk to us, off schedule, and sometimes our kids needs time off schedule too.

I have learned, slowly, that if I put my time with Ford above my to-do list, I always walk away full.

And those things on my list, they will still be there tomorrow (I’m starting to sweat just thinking about them) but the time that I get with my son right now isn’t a given. I must cherish it.

This week, Ford was learning how to walk up and down the stairs. Normally we are hustling here and there, but this one day, I just sat on the stairs with him and went up and down,

And up and down

And up and down

At one point, I was on one side of the banister and he was on the other and he started reaching his little face through the wooden spindles and kissing me with each step he went up. It was the sweetest game, and I realized that if I had been in a hurry, I would have missed this.

I also realized that Ford is much more affectionate with me when I am giving him my full attention for a long period of time; it’s as if he wants to let me know he appreciates my focus. Now THAT is a great incentive for me.

So, the word I am passing on this week is “Slow Down.”

If it means saying “no” to something on your list or your agenda, it might be worth it to spend that extra one-on-one time with your littles. Ford is only 16 months, but he already knows when my attention is fully on him versus split by other things. You may even find that you really enjoy  and need it too!

Happy Monday!