"We can't keep living to impress strangers while the ones we love suffer our indifference.
Focused love. Small life. Big rewards." - Don Miller
Focused love. Small life. I'm not sure that I want this.
I mean, I do. But these words are a bit abrasive to the insecure me who keeps searching to find significance. And um, yes, they're a bit abrasive to the exhausted me who often feels I have nothing left to give come evening.
Love takes work. Love. takes. work.
It's almost easier to reach for the sky than to look into the eyes of those around you. No, really. I think you know what I mean. Try harder and people notice your effort. Conquer new goals and people admire. Be successful and people see you. People see you.
People. People. People.
What is it about the admiration of the masses that feeds our soul only to leave us empty?
And what is it about being anonymous that makes us question our worth? Question in a really scared sort of way?
Laugh at your son's joke, and you're still unknown. Play the never-ending board game Life with your daughter instead of Tweeting, and you don't have a voice in the crowd that day. Engage in conversation with your husband instead of pouring over Pinterest, and no one gets to know your style, your taste for good food, your amazing sense of home decor.
Yeah, engage behind closed doors with those you care about the most, and no one will notice you in those moments.
Focused love. Small life. Big rewards.
My son will know I'm crazy about him and will hopefully take that into adolescence. My daughter will cherish the gift of time -- translated into security -- and might remember it when other girls leave her out. My husband, bless him, who pursues me above all others will know I'd rather talk to him than anyone.
Treasures. Big rewards.
So, today I'm choosing to get to know my family again.
You may need to get to know your friends all over again. Or your co-workers who spend their days just an arm-length from you. Or your neighbor who waves to you daily... the one whose last name you don't know.
I'm choosing to look my kids and husband in the eye each time they speak to me this week -- even when I'm cooking dinner. Please keep me accountable. I need all the help I can get.
Focused love. Small life. Big rewards. Our kitchen is getting a face lift this summer. Nothing drastic. Or expensive. Just a little pick-me-up. Maybe I'll paint these words on the tiny piece of wall above my kitchen sink window. On the canvas of our everyday room. On the canvas of our everyday. Period.
You just spoke to the hearts of SAH moms everywhere. Thanks for the post Christan!
ReplyDeleteAndi, thank you. I love SAH moms. I was one myself.
DeleteWhat a great, encouraging post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by. :)
DeleteYou always speak to my heart Christan! I shared this with my readers...hope you don't mind. What a beautiful family you have!! I love the picture!
ReplyDelete~Julia
Julia, I'm honored. You always seem to have your priorities right on. Thank you.
DeleteOh my goodness. I love this. This is my first time here. I came over from Julia's blog and so glad I did.
ReplyDeleteThis wor/post speaks volumes to me as it is something I have been thinking about just this morning, as a matter of fact.
Thank you.
Welcome, Bevy. I love how the Lord confirms messages to us by repeating them over and over in different places and in different ways. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI can honestly say that before I had a computer with Internet access that my life was way, way better. It was small. I didn't even read the newspaper or watch the news on TV. All the dismal happenings in the world didn't affect me because I never realized it was there. Today, I don't have a Facebook account, I don't Tweet, or do any of the other things that occupy everyone's time. And I don't have cable TV, either. I think there is way too much social networking done with people you will never meet in person. I'd rather get out of the house and go to Barnes and Noble with my son, his fiance and my granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteChristine, I hear you. Once again, the very things that are invented to make the world smaller and bring us more together tend to crowd our lives with more and more and more.
DeleteDropping by from Julia's blog! I'm so glad she linked to you...what a beautiful read for today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Valerie. I appreciate your encouragement.
DeleteGreat words of wisdom, Christan, thank you. I had one of those little moments today with Ryan. I pray to make more of them, thanks for the reminder and the focus on what's important.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. Little by little, I pray we all have more moments like you did this morning.
DeleteSmall is good. As a blogger I tire of being told to "play big". I need to be small and have it be o.k. It's a comfort to be content with that fact.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's almost a daily CHOICE to be content in this way, for it often doesn't feel natural... not when culture is convincing us to walk a different path.
DeleteWow. How blessed I am to have accidentally found myself here today... I can't even remember the rabbit trail (blush) that led me here, but I am thankful.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful truth you share here and it is very much a "sacred echo" for me. And it is comes as a personal confirmation of something the Holy Spirit has been wooing me towards. That's exciting for me, and I imagine for you, too, as you consider how your words take on such a bigger meaning than you, yourself even in intend for them to. And that is how God works, yes? In our smallness, He accomplishes great things and He chooses to let us participate in that, even though probably most often we have no idea what we are doing! Ha!
I truly enjoyed this today, but again, was impacted in a way I would not have expected. Cool. :)
Blessings,
Kara
Ah, yes, the rabbit trails online. Welcome. So glad God led you here. It IS amazing how God works, and how He transcends time and place to bring His truth to people. Thank you for your rich encouragement. Come back anytime. :)
DeleteTruth pierces the heart like an arrow. Needed this today. Thank you, Christan. And from your comments, yes, it is a daily CHOICE to be content in this way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aimee. And thanks for leading others here like you did. His truth is so penetrating, I agree. It does pierce. Have a good summer choosing to live small and deep.
DeleteThank you for this honest post. I can get sucked into the social media/blogging game. I've been so over exhausted the last few weeks I'm barely writing. My daughter is getting married in two weeks and I want to pour myself into these final days with her!
ReplyDeleteOh, enjoy these two weeks, and then enjoy the rest of your life! Congrats to you in gaining a son. Your daughter will cherish these memories together with you when the flurry of activity fades. Sixteen years later, I still remember grabbing iced cappuccinos with my mom almost daily during the two weeks prior to my wedding. :)
DeleteThank you for this reality check! I admit sometimes it's hard to feel like I'm doing anything worthwhile when there's no "online validation" (pinterest, facebook, blog, you name it), but there is value in the simple day to day interactions with those we love. It's easy to forget, but essential to remember.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for your honesty, Roxanne. Welcome.
DeleteSo opposite the world's wisdom. So happy and *thankful* we have His Word and the truth that lies within. Thanks for sharing these encouraging words!
ReplyDeleteYeah - it's all about constantly comparing the wisdom of man with the wisdom of His Word. Truth always prevails.
DeleteChristan,
ReplyDeleteI found you through Julia's Blissfully Content blog and I am so very glad I did. Just this....I found myself saying "yes" and "amen" to so much of what you wrote. Thank you for your words. I have a chalkboard in my dining room that might just need your reminder written on it. :)
Jen, thanks so much for stopping by via Blissfully Content, and thanks for your sweet encouragement. We're all in this together. Those very words were written on my own dining room chalk board last week. :)
ReplyDeleteVery well said.
ReplyDeletepeace,
amy
I somehow missed this post over the summer... I'm so glad Susan Maynor just reposted it on FB so I could read it! I really needed to hear this message today. Thank you, Christan! :)
ReplyDelete