I stood in my kitchen. It was quiet and I was thinking about some of the creative things my kids have begun to do. I began to feel delighted as I remembered the things that they simply decided to try one day. One learns new painting techniques and tries them out daily. Two of my kids have been really working at playing piano lately. They teach themselves songs that they learn with the help of YouTube. Another is growing and learning how to do many adult things, but with excellence. An excellence that I didn’t even consider walking in when I was young.
I thought about how wonderful it is that they are making these decisions to learn and grow.
Then I heard the Lord telling me that this is the fruit of creating space and peace within our home. Time and peace…are a recipe for unlocking the creative inside each one of us.
Wow.
I have been doing this for many years and hadn’t realized that this was what we were walking in now. You know, it’s sometimes hard to notice things that happen gradually. So, I love it when God opens my eyes to it and gives me a chance to truly say, “Thank you”.
Our homes matter. The atmosphere of our homes matter.
I was once stuck in the busy lifestyle and have had many friends that thought life was best for their kids if they were constantly busy with activities. But what I’ve grown to realize is that is not true at all.
Raising kids in a fast paced, always moving way breeds yet another generation of people who don’t think things through. I desperately want my kids to think and reason and to truly know things.
Going through the motions in life feels like death to me. I want to live a life that matters. Doing things that matter. Avoiding empty pursuits. Avoiding busyness for busyness’ sake.
I want my kids to be deep thinkers and have deep walks with God. If that’s my goal, then I must continue to cultivate this peaceful space for them.
I encourage you to consider what’s most important. What are the values and activities that matter most to you?
The risk is this…while you are disconnecting from the empty things and connecting to real things, there is an empty space. Don’t fear the empty space because that’s where the thinking is beginning. That takes time. Time and space.
Embrace it.
Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. Proverbs 22:29
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23
365 Days in the Presence 