I’m joining the Five Minute Friday writers for the first time in forever. Crystal Stine is hosting this week in Lisa-Jo Baker’s online absence. Want to join us? Please do. Set a timer for five minutes and write. This week’s prompt is “Belong.”
I’ve needed this week.
Vacation Bible School. It’s been on my calendar these five evenings in a row for months. It’s not even our church, but it’s an event my kids have loved from the moment they walked in the joy-filled sanctuary a few years ago.
Even though I knew I’d be kid-less from 5 to 8 p.m. five nights in a row, I didn’t have big plans. I figured Greg and I would hang out. Then a friend whose kids are also at the same VBS proposed a double date. Then my best friend and I decided to make a girls’ night out of one of the evenings.
If I was alone, I could have scrapbooked or worked on my ebook or read or cleaned or ran errands or talked on the phone. But I was blessed with some time I needed more than any to-do list.
I was given a chance to have long conversations with my husband. I had time to sit in the passenger seat as Greg drove us around the lake to a couple destinations that quieted all the noise in my soul. Like an old married couple, we walked into the grocery discussing how times flies and our kids are growing up too fast. I had dinner before pedicures with my best friend whose life is especially messy right now. And I have another date coming up with my husband tomorrow.
Mothering is one of the greatest blessings in my life. But I was feeling empty, like I poured all myself out. This week has refilled me and reminded me where I belong. And, you know what, my kids are learning about how they always belong to Jesus, even when if they’re different than everyone else … like weird animals.
That’s a good week for everybody.
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Amen. It's amazing what a week of remembering where and with whom you belong will do. And sometimes it takes a quiet time without kids to do that. A nice break can be so refreshing to your soul and your marriage. What a great post!
And God's timing with it has been oh-so good. Thanks for coming by, Karen!
So true, Kristin! It makes me think of that line in that song– ( Desert Song, maybe?)"I know I'm filled to be emptied again..
Sorry! Hit enter too soon! Thank you for sharing your words and I'm so glad you had a refreshing, life filling week!
Love those VBS times at other people's churches…then I'm not caught up in running activities and organizing but instead I'm one of the mama's who drops them off and has lovely quiet for just a few hours! It truly is beautiful, grace-filled and refreshing! So glad you have that time! Happy Friday!
God certainly knew I needed it, even more than I knew myself. 🙂 Thanks for coming by, Rachel. Have a great weekend!
I'm going to look up that song now … 🙂 Good to see you here, Cynthia!
Dear Kristin
I am with on these few hours a day that a mommy has time for herself to do the things that heart wishes do after dropping the kids at their appointed places. That time belongs to the mother to use this time wisely that will make time for the mothers to do a craft or some needle work, or even using your sewing machine to create something beautiful.
Blessings XX
Mia
Thanks, Mia.
So glad you had a refreshing week, Kristin. Love that you and Greg were able to spend some quality time together. Much love. xoxo
Hope this week is refreshing for you, Beth!