Day 73. I have chosen to live intentionally toward the goals, dreams and desires God has placed on my heart for the last 90 days of this year, pressing past fear, excuses and discomfort toward fullness of life as we countdown to 2020. This post reflects on yesterday’s goal. Day 73: practicing presence.
I awakened my children this morning and declared we would be heading out for brunch. I had big plans: a walk at a forest preserve, brunch at a new place, and a matinee. We would go to at least two new places. We would eat new, exciting food. We would see a movie, and DARN IT, we would enjoy it all! But all they wanted were burgers, pancakes, hats and me.
I overthink it sometimes. My achieving personality doesn’t automatically hit pause in my parenting. Days like today remind me that what they need most is for me to lovingly show up and be present. So we ditched the forest preserve and fancy eatery in favor of Denny’s where my son could order his favorite pancakes, my daughter could grab a burger, and the booths are perfectly suited for tabletop football. We ditched the movie for a trip to Target where we could look at hats. Oh, the hats!
Today, they didn’t want to do anything. They simply wanted to be with me, and to know I was fully present with them. So we ate, we tried on hats, we laughed, we were present to one another, and we were all better for it.
ACTION STEPS: We can all overthink relationships. Often all one really wants is for us to be with him or her in a way that is meaningful. Today, for my kiddos, it was burgers, pancakes & hats. Sometimes it is popcorn and conversation, and at other times, it simply reading next to one another.
Do you know how the people you love receive love best? A word of encouragement? Time together? An act of service? Small gifts? A hug?* Think of one small way this week that you can intentionally care for one you love in a way that is meaningful to them and act upon it.
*Adaptation of 5 love languages.
