Friday, May 13, 2011

Five Minute Friday: Deep Breath


It's Friday.  Where did the week go?  It was just Monday, and I was posting my thankful list.  But anyway, it's Friday, and I just love Gypsy Mama and her blog and especially these five minutes on Friday to just write it out.  Will you join me?  And her?  And all the others writing for five minutes on Friday?

Today's Topic:  Deep Breath

Here I go...

Deep Breath.

Because it's 10:33 pm on Friday night, and I haven't stopped all day long.  Breathing deep into the fact that finally the kids are sound asleep, and the house is quiet and I can breathe for just one second. 

Deep Breath.

As I stare at the grocery list before me on the kitchen table.  Coupons scattered all around, and I punch the numbers into the calculator one more time in hopes that a math miracle has occurred, and I feel overwhelmed by this not-so-small task of feeding this family while sticking to the budget.  Deep breath.  Because he has promised to provide, and that might just mean giving up my idea of the perfect breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as he opens my eyes to my full pantry and fridge, and he reminds me of the Israelite's manna.  "And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD," (Deut. 8:3, ESV)

Deep Breath.

As John kicks his leg in frustration at the nurse, wanting that blood pressure cuff off his leg, and we just need to be cleared for operation.  But his typical anger is making that blood pressure soar too high for an all-clear.  Deep breath.  And I ask the nurse for a cracker, and John holds it in hand and he is good, as is his blood pressure, and we all breath deep with relief, as the nurse and I both let out a relieved laugh. 

Deep breath.

On a Friday night spent at three different grocery stores, a far cry from the Friday nights of the early years of dating.  John is crying, and Ada is dancing down the aisle, oblivious to the three other customers trying to get their shopping done, and the prescription eye drops will be another 30 minutes.  Deep breath, and Scott will take the kids to the car, and I can enjoy ten minutes of peace on this Friday night in Target.

Deep breath.

On this afternoon when the dishes and the laundry and the toys are piled high because of a morning spent at the doctor's office, but there is still much to do and never enough time to do it.  Deep breath, as I hear that all familiar lie that I am inadequate as their mother, his wife, the homemaker.  Deep breath, as I am reminded that I am home not to have the perfect house but to walk and talk the gospel with these children when we sit and when we rise and when we lie down again.  And that can happen in the midst of messy; in fact, that's probably the ideal place to talk of the gospel.

Deep breath.

And I remember, "Rejoice in the Lord, always.  Again, I will say Rejoice...the Lord is at hand," (Phil. 4:4-5, ESV).

Deep breath.


Killing time in Target, while waiting on John's eye drop prescription.  John was thrilled about the situation;)

7 comments:

Ashley Turnbull said...

I think my favorite part of this post was the reminder that we are not called to have a perfect house; we are called to live out the Gospel in front of our children. Even if that means our house is a huge mess. What an insight, friend! So true! Every time I want to get overwhelmed w/ life, I have to recall that truth to mind.And tonight, after I spent an entire afternoon cleaning and organizing (and the kitchen countertops are still full of junk)...I REALLY needed to hear this :-) Enjoy your peaceful Friday night...:-)

Kelly Miller said...

Love your reminder of the reason you're there -- not to be perfect, but to guide your children toward grace.

Pitterle Postings said...

What a wonderful reminder about all the reasons we need to take a deep breath.

Carrie said...

I am loving your participation in this five minute Friday, because I simply love anytime you write it out. Such a an encouragement!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you hear this all the time, but I just can't go to bed without saying it: you are SUCH an inspiration. The way you just quietly go about your day to day life, living such a close relationship with Jesus...I don't even know how to describe how amazing you make me feel. You constantly remind me that THIS is life, THIS is what we're doing. We're not waiting for the next thing, or trying to hurry up and get to the school years, or out to make more money- we're living in THIS moment, right now. We need to BE here, in this moment.

And as an added bonus (for me) 'not by bread alone' was EXACTLY what I needed to hear on a hectic Saturday, thousands and thousands of miles away from my family and loved ones. Not by bread alone. Thank you so much, please don't ever stop writing. You are SO talented!

Elizabeth said...

Sweetie,
That was an especially well written Five Minute Friday.
So good. Definitely painted a true picture and we, reading it, could all feel it. Wanted to take those deep breaths with you and let out heavy sighs. By the way, now, when any of us let out those heavy sighs, and thinking no child hears - Andrew does. He says, "What, Near?" or "What, Daddy?"

How are the hands and pain and feet? Love, MOM

Margaret said...

Loved every bit of this. Thanks for some much needed encouragement!