Today I had the choice to either make a meal for my neighbor or spend time with my kids. Normally, I would feel like I need to make the meal, but in light of my recent conversation with my husband, I decided to simplify and give the time to my girls. (Don't worry. I had not actually promised a meal to my neighbor. It was all in my head.)
We were inspired this morning by an art exhibit in the lobby of our church - particularly by an art journal created by Bonnie Porter. (You can see her beautiful art here.) I had an empty sketch book that I actually received in a class taught by Bonnie, so my daughters and I decided to create an art notebook together. We spent several hours creating collages from magazine cutouts and drawing portraits of each other -
They had a great time, but most importantly, they could tell I had a great time. I am often teaching them, scolding them, reminding them, urging them, and getting upset at them. I think it was a gift for them to feel me enjoying them.
It reminded me of this quote -
"It is easy to think you have a heart for orphans on the other side of the world, but if you spend your time at home resenting the imposition your children are on you, you do not. You cannot have a heart for the gospel and a fussiness about your life at the same time. You will never make any difference there if you cannot be at peace here. You cannot have a heart for missions, but not for the people around you. A true love of the gospel overflows and overpowers. It will be in everything you do, however drab, however simple, however repetitive." *
*I don't remember where I found this quote. If you know who originally said it, please let me know.
3 comments:
I love the book you made! So pretty!
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/authors/rachel-jankovic
You are a good mom.
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