Rhythm

My daughter completed her first year in piano lessons. I’m excited for her to keep learning this language of music. I was once very consumed with my own learning and it’s so interesting to see it through new eyes. She’s been learning the hard fact of the importance of rhythm. It’s not just about playing the right notes, but it matters how you play them.

And that started tying into something else I’ve been thinking about.

So often my heart grows weary of the everyday tasks. So often I want to fight against the needed order and predictability in my life. So often I struggle to find joy and contentment in the seemingly meaningless jobs that fill my day.

But then I started to wonder, what if I took away all of those never-ending tasks? What would I be left with?

And then I realized…

It’s the constants, the mundane, the never-ending needs, that create the rhythm of life. And while that rhythm may start to feel like a dirge at times…without that constant, steady, predictable rhythm, there would be nothing but chaos.

God was telling me to be thankful for that steady humdrum. It’s keeping life moving and it’s the backbone to whatever unpredictable thing that’s thrown at me. I can find joy in the constant because it’s a reminder of my constant God.

So bring on the mound of dirty socks, the never-ending runny noses, the constant hungry tummy. It’s creating my rhythm.

“For everything there is season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Perfect

This may come as a surprise to you but…wait for it…I am NOT a perfect mother.

I drop the ball.

For example, I took Weston to an allergy doctor this morning. I had planned ahead. The diaper bag was packed with all my baby tricks (toys, extra bottle, diapers, etc…). I had looked over my directions to make sure I knew where I was going. I had the baby carrier in the van.  I had filled out the paperwork they had sent me and it was safely packed in said diaper bag. I had my coffee in hand and I had actually eaten breakfast.  We left on time and got there 20 minutes early. Which is unheard of for me as I am notoriously late.  We are the family that is late for church…for the late service.

Anyway…so I had all my ducks in a row right? So far anyway. I found a good parking spot.  Weston was happily babbling in his car seat.   But, I took one more sip of coffee and reached down to grab my diaper bag and discovered that I had left my diaper bag at home.  By the back door.  With my insurance card and my ID.

Yep.

Didn’t have time to go home and it would take months to get another appointment.  Awesome.

Thankfully, everything worked out fine.  But I hate those moments when I “fail”.  When I feel like a “bad mommy”.

But do you know who didn’t care?  My son.  All he cared about was that I was there for him.  To wipe his tears and make him feel secure. That’s all. He wasn’t looking for perfect…he just wanted his mom.IMG_6003

A good lesson for me to remember.

Last Sunday was a typical crazy, rushed morning and we were typically late. Singing had already begun and my heart and mind were distracted.

I was trying to get focused on what I was singing about but one of my kids (who shall remain nameless) was being repeatedly disobedient and after repeatedly correcting said child, I was frustrated. How could I sing when I was not focused and having peaceful thoughts? How could I worship when it didn’t feel like I was offering something perfect?

Wait a minute…there’s something wrong here.

And God tugged on my heart in that moment.

When have I ever offered “perfect” worship?

When has God ever required perfect worship?

Answer – never.

So, in that moment I offered up my distracted and frustrated heart to worship God and I found no condemnation.

Only acceptance.

I was humbled in that moment to think that this honesty was more worshipful than any false perfection…scratch that…pride that I could offer.

How many times have I told others that God wants us to come as we are and here I was needing to believe it for myself.

I do love when I can put all my attention to corporate worship. I love it!

But that is no more of a sweet aroma than when I come with an honest…albeit distracted…heart.

Because when I honestly acknowledge my imperfections, that’s when I can fully experience God’s PERFECT grace.

And that’s so much better than putting on the facade of perfection.