Cat's Cradle

My daughter was out of town last week. I missed her most when I tried to do things, like band practice, and she wasn't around to babysit the 6 year old noise factory. But, I should have missed her more.

Mike's been gone on this road trip, seeing fantastic things: Yosemite, Death Valley, Vegas, Hoover Dam, The Hopi Rez, the Grand Canyon! And I've been at home, doing the same old same old. I've missed him. But I should miss him more.

God showed me today that I don't take care of my time well.

Sure, I need to take care of responsibilities; the house and family stuff, church stuff, Tres Dias stuff, kids' school stuff. And I need to have "me" time: tv, books, movies. But, I also need to make time for the really important things- which aren't really things, but people. I need to actually be with my family, and with my Jesus.

This is not a shocking new revelation. We all know this. But today, I was convicted. It's a little different. Today, God kind of snapped his fingers in my face and said, "child, listen. Do you hear what I'm saying? Your kids are going away to school in 5 weeks. Your husband may not always be around. Not only are you missing out on opportunities to have memories of them, but you're stealing memories of yourself from them."

I've been chewing on that most of the day. While waiting at the orthodontist office, the oldies station played, "Cat's Cradle." "When you coming home son? I don't know when, but we'll have a good time then." Ow!

My challenge for this week: make time to spend with people first (this includes both family, and Jesus). Then fill in the gaps with house work and the volunteer stuff. I may find I don't need as much "me time" if I use this planning routine. And I may not get bored or burned out as often either.