They didn’t technically have time for an impromptu tea party, but who could resist those feety jamies?
I had work to do myself, me being behind in just about everything, and then I saw them – my niece and parents bathed in sunlight,
being silly.
I did not resist the urge to pick up my camera.
The best things about tea parties with two-year-olds is that calories don’t count, and giggling so hard you spit water out of your mouth is not rude or inappropriate. In fact, such hijinks only enhance the sweet frivolity of letting go and being present in the present.
I’m glad I seized the opportunity to capture a snippet of true joy, true peace, true living. Joy, peace and such are rarely all up in my face; I have to pull my gaze away from the trash littering my van, the extra five pounds I may or may not have accumulated since Christmas, my fear of dropping any number of balls, to actually “see” them.
We are always getting ready to live but never living. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to justify ever slowing down, much less stopping and choosing to simply be in a moment. I’ve noticed lately, I’ve taken to running around directionless, creating more and more work for myself until I crash into my bed later than I should. And, ironically, all this “multi-tasking” is making me not so much productive as scattered and tired.
Thus, this morning I have a hankering for a little more deliberateness in my life – for taking on only one thing at a time with my full attention instead of mentally or even physically escaping arduous challenges by distracting myself with yet another side project.
My parents are really great, I think, at keeping the main thing the main thing. They are wholeheartedly devoted to their vocation, holding their noses to the grindstone until the task at hand is completed, then purposefully refueling via shared nightly downtime… and the occasional tea party.
“You are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed”
—Luke 10:41-42
Today I pray for the discipline to pray, for continuous wisdom, guidance and sticktoitiveness.
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I adore these photos! What a precious little girl! You captured the moments so beautifully. I need to try harder to take photos in the normal, every day moments.
Lovely pictures! Takes me back to when my little girl and I would have tea parties. She’s now 30, engaged to marry next year, and so I’m planning a tea party for her as one of her wedding presents!
Congratulations, Sabrina, on your daughter’s engagement! What a touching idea to host tea party in honor of the occasion! Peace and joy to you and your loved ones!
I loved this sentence, “In fact, such hijinks only enhance the sweet frivolity of letting go and being present in the present.” Indeed, the spontaneity of children is not only refreshing but critical to any kind of productive focus, as your post suggests. It is one of my all time favorite thing about children and the reason in my own life that I have endeavored to surround myself with as many of them as possible.
I understand this struggle very much. God help us!
Oh sweet Annie is getting so big. Love these. Deep breaths dear one. And Russell wants to pass on that he is very excited to see Grammie and Grampie. Two days and counting.
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to justify ever slowing down, much less stopping and choosing to simply be in a moment. I’ve noticed lately, I’ve taken to running around directionless, creating more and more work for myself until I crash into my bed later than I should.”
Goodness this rings true for me so far this month. I find myself in this mindset more often than I care to admit. Here’s to a new start at “sticktoitiveness!”
Yes, Crystal! I am right there with you!
My husband loves quoting Edith Schaeffer: we waste time to keep it in eternity. (Or words to that effect.) A great idea and absolutely right! So, waste some time with your family!
Not on FB much these days but saw your sweet pic of your wonderful parents and that cute little girl and couldn’t resist responding. Your post so resonates with my feelings. May God give us the grace to live in the moment, to purposefully plan, to enjoy simplicity, and to always put relationships before task lists!
It is so nice to hear from you Debbie! I too love having those photos of my parents – so often they dwell and work behind the scenes. It brings me joy to see them happy! Blessings to you!