Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Confession 164: The Gift of Time

We woke up to more snow on the ground this morning.  No school.  It's our tenth snow day of the season, some sort of new record I think.  As a substitute teacher now, I don't get paid on snow days.  I know I should care, but in reality, it doesn't bother me.  Call me crazy, (lazy) but I love snow days!  I love the way we can gently ease into our days when there's no place to be in the morning.  I like cuddling under the blankets with my boys while they watch Mickey Mouse.  I like listening to their little teeth munching on Pop Tarts, the gentle smack of their lips as their mouths open and close with each chew.  Obviously, we haven't worked on the whole chew with your mouth closed skill yet! :-)  I also love the thought of the day stretching out before us with no plan or list or schedule attached to it.  It's time, precious and fleeting, stretched out before us to shape and mold as we wish. As my educator parents taught me from a young age, snow days are a gift and should be treated as such.

Don't get me wrong.  We still have our moments.  The kids get bored and decide to use their time making mischief.  I lose my patience and threaten, yell, and wish I had sent the boys to daycare.  My view of how we should use this gift of time is often very different from the boys' view.  They want to play Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Monster Under the Bed.  I want to read, or fold clothes while watching a Hallmark movie.  There's no perfect in this life, so our snow days aren't either.  Yet, at the end of the day, I am always grateful for the time we've shared and find myself hoping, just a bit, for a little more snow in the morning. :-)  As Kathleen Kenison writes, "Life hangs by a gossamer thread.  Today is a gift; tomorrow, not a guarantee."  The book of James puts it this way: "...you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

Snow days offer my family a gift of time.  Today, I would encourage you to celebrate the gift of time, in whatever form it takes.

Blessings and Peace,
Sara




4 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for your kind visit to my blog :) It's wonderful to hear that your little one similar problems and came through the surergies fine!! I'm most afraid of the unknown - and am trying to cling tight to God's hand as He guides us through!! You have a great blog - I'm going to follow along :)

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  2. I've been thinking of that verse in James! Funny you should mention it. Glad you're enjoying your snow days. I was happy to get out this morning and go to homeschool group. It snowed for a full 24 hrs. and stopped sometimes during the night. I think I would go if it was still snowing, because I needed an escape! You've got a great attitude.

    -FringeGirl

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  3. Since we homeschool, we will sometimes take off a snow day. :)

    Love the book of James. Thank you for sharing that verse.

    thanks for stopping by and visiting!

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  4. I agree. I loved having a snow day last week. We just hung out and played all day! :)

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