There not only has been a running theme through my day but it appears there is a running theme through my life these past few weeks. The message I receive from My Daily Bread meditations is to focus solely on what is IMPORTANT and do not allow the worries of frivolous things keep me from remembering what is priority (and that is first, my devotion to God, second, my marriage and third, my kids).
Today Neal’s brother came over with the kids to go swimming. Despite the come and go rain we managed to get an hour in the pool and I decided to get in with them (I want you to realize how this is NOT me…I’m spoiled to the core and I just don’t like to be in the pool unless I am floating on a raft drifting off to sleep). I don’t know what possessed me but I guess the devotional this morning hit me to the core. Here are my nieces and nephews that I was about to take on at one point in their young life and what kind of aunt would I be if I sat on my butt and didn’t engage them?
Both the young girls (age 6 and 9) can not swim. I wasn’t so shocked by the youngest but the 9 year old? I tried to work with her and teach her how to float, kick, etc but she was terrified and politely asked me if we could stop. Not wanting to be the aunt she feared I relented and left her to bliss with the floats. As soon as we stopped the littlest was waiting for her turn, “I want to learn how to swim, Aunt Shannon!” How could I resist? 😉 Sure enough she was floating and then swimming to the edge of the pool and back to me within a few moments of teaching. She still has a long way to go but I was very proud of her.
And what effort did that really take? Nothing. Except moving beyond my selfish desire to sit and do nothing and do something for kids that just might need to feel a little confidence and support. Sometimes I think about the many days I choose to do what I want over what my kids would like me to do with them and I feel very guilty. I also realize there is a fine balance… that I don’t have to do everything they want to do…but I’m being honest with myself in saying I’ve probably fallen short.
So, later after everyone had gone and Ryan was asking if I could take him to Blockbuster to see if there was a slight chance they would replace his damaged Wii points card, I wanted to say ‘no’ because it was raining and who wants to get out in the rain? But I relented and said we’d go when the rain slowed down. Sure enough it did and by the grace of God the woman at Blockbuster was in a good mood and replaced Ryan’s damaged card AND she in a very polite but firm way looked at Ryan in the eye and said, “I know this cost you a lot of money and I want you to know that these cards are non-refundable so I’m doing this now because I know you made a mistake but the next time you won’t be so lucky. So be careful, okay?” He nodded and said, “Yes, ma’am.” I mouthed ‘Thank You’ to her over his head and we left Blockbuster with one relieved kid (and mom, because I certainly wasn’t going to spend $20 on another card!).
I’m in a learning stage these days and it’s tough…it hurts at times…and its frustrating. But I know well that with these learning stages come a period of time that seems to suddenly unfold with ease and it all makes sense. So I go through these days trying my best to be ‘real’ with what it is I need to learn knowing in the end it is all worth it.
Blessings
Shannon