Unlike my own childhood that involved riding a bus to public school, my kids attend a small, classical, Christian school. Since August 2012, I’ve been shuttling kids – and the ones in our various carpools – to and from school. It’s 12 miles from my house to school plus a few extra miles for carpool duties, so round trip ends up taking me about 45 minutes.
Last year and this year, the carpool has also involved preschool pickups on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. So that’s a morning drop off, mid-day pickup, and afternoon pickup. I’m grateful I’ve been able to share all the back-and-forth with my sister-in-law, Angela, whose kids also attend New Covenant Christian Academy.
I consider transporting my kids to a school that is ideal for our family to be part of my momma responsibilities. I haven’t complained about the commute – and all the round trips – because I want Ben and Cate to be educated in a way that incorporates God into all the subjects as the foundation of all truth and knowledge.
Even so, when I heard the rumblings of a bus service getting started, I rejoiced. Another sweet surprise was hearing the bus service would officially start at the beginning of March.
I’ve talked {here} my in-laws being in vehicle businesses. Well, specifically, my mother-in-law is in the bus business. She contracts with the federal government to transport children on multiple military bases to their schools. And my brother-in-law, Charles, who is married to Angela, happens to work for her.
They wanted this bus service to be a labor of love to our small school community. I knew the bus service would be a good thing, but I had no idea how much it would bless me.
One recent morning, I realized I had started laundry, swept the kitchen floor, and unloaded and loaded the dishwasher before 8 a.m. In other words, I had finished most the chores I intended to accomplish that day before I would have been back from dropping off the kids at school.
The bus service gives me 45 more minutes in the morning and almost that in the afternoons. Now with the carpool that existed before the bus service, I didn’t do every afternoon pick up, but I did drive four of the five weekday mornings.
And, of course, my kids love riding the bus with some of their school friends.
An entrepreneur to the core, Greg has often told me, “Your time is worth something.” And by “your” he sometimes means his and sometimes he’s referring to mine. Either way – the philosophy of time being valuable is true.
And value doesn’t always mean money.
Sometimes value comes as the opportunity to have more time. {Tweet that.}
That’s been the blessing of the bus.
And the cherry on the top? Some mornings, Greg takes our kids – or kid, if it’s Tuesday or Thursday, when preschool isn’t in session – to the bus. That means some days recently I haven’t had to leave my house at a certain time. What a blessing!
How have you been blessed by someone else lately? Have you found extra time in your days?
I’m linking this post with Jessica Turner’s Fringe Friday because the blessing of the bus has created more fringe hours in my day. Some times that means more time to work around the house, but other days that means meeting a friend for breakfast or doing something else to care for my soul. {Read more about #FringeHours here or get “The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You.”}
I’m also linking with (in)courage’s #FringeHours post.
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I so appreciate the story you find in every day life and then how you share with us. So grateful for you. xoxo
Visiting from "Fringe Friday" linkup – it's amazing how just a small amount of extra time can turn into a real blessing! Enjoy your "fringe hours"!
Thanks for visiting, Cherry!
You're so sweet, Beth. I have to document life because I'm afraid I'll forget. 🙂 Hope you're enjoying your family and have a great weekend together! Love you!
Such a blessing for you!
Indeed! Thanks for being here, Mindy!
I have to admit – I'm super jealous! 🙂 We live within a mile of my daughter's school, but the pickup line is very long, every day. So I spend at least 30 minutes picking her up every afternoon. And unfortunately, Adrienne HATES sitting in a car that's not moving. So most days, that means I spend 30 minutes listening to her cry and screech and generally protest the situation. BUT! Even though it's tempting to be upset about this situation, I'm trying to focus on how nice it is to be "forced" to sit down, away from the computer, for half an hour each day. So I read or file my nails or do something I would normally have put off or not done at all!
Hi Kristin, yippee for the bus! I totally agree with you–that our time is precious. And if there are ways we can maximize the time spent doing the things we are made to do in a particular season, then I think we must absolutely move towards that. For me, I am having groceries delivered to my home. I also live very close to Google, and they have something called Google express that delivers from lots of stores, including Costco (Sam's Club) which is a huge time saver for me every month. I am so grateful–but it took me a long time to be willing to make changes like this. I have tried, for too long, to try to do it all. Doesn't work too well. Thank you for your wisdom and how you share your heart!
Oh, I know about trying to do it all … 🙂 I like life so much more when I'm letting go of some things. That's awesome you live close to Google! I've been using ePantry and Amazon's Prime Pantry to cut out household shopping errands. I still go to the grocery regularly, but I don't have to shop for other things as often. It's been great – and I think it's saved us money too. Win-win! I love seeing you here and am so grateful for your encouragement.
I generally keep a book with me in case I'm stuck waiting somewhere. I just started a new fiction book while we were waiting at Ben's weekly allergy shot appointment. But, yes, sometimes forced rest is good … even with background noise. 🙂 I'm glad you're here, Mary!
Well, now…this is perfect. Isn't it lovely when all of life weaves together in a way where you can SEE God in the details? So many of us lament "I wish I had more hours in my day…." and bam! A family bus business finds 'em for you 😉
Great article ~ love the title "the blessing of the bus". That's cute. 🙂 Wow, it is a small world! Cherry Warrick from http://pursuingheart.blogspot.com/, left a comment a few days ago I see. Her and her husband Gary are like our mentors, we went to the same church as them here in Omaha for about 8 years. They led our life group for some time. So cool to see her on your blog. *I found your link on (in)courage, I was also in the book club.
Small word indeed! Cherry visited my blog after I linked this post at Jessica Turner's blog, so I haven't gotten a chance to know her. But I love connections like that. I'm glad you stopped by, Amber!
Your comment makes me smile big time. Yes, God is good to weave together details like that. Sometimes I have to remind myself he does it all the time in every area of my life – even when I can't see them as clearly. Thanks for coming by, Robin!
Yay for 45 new minutes every day! 🙂
Time *is* valuable. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Brenda! 🙂
Wow! That is wonderful! How exciting for you 🙂 We homeschool and I find that early mornings are the best time for me. And that forced "rest time" in the afternoon, even if it is only for 30 minutes, is definitely helping!
Oh, yes, forced rest time of the win. 🙂 Thanks for being here, Heather!