It only takes a moment to glance at your life and know you've been blessed. I've been thinking a lot lately about how I spend a lot of time in "routine." It's self-imposed, but I can't sit down to write without having my kitchen cleaned, the house in a certain order, and my scheduled cleared for a few hours.
Making all the above happen in sync is a rare occasion, because, by the time I get all of it together, there's no time to think, mull over a topic, and dive into it. Frustration takes over, I leave my little office area, and step back into reality, and another missed opportunity to write has just happened.
Staying in the present moment, as the Sufi teachers call it, or simply paying attention to what's happening in front of you, is a learned practice, like so many other life-guides. I operate on auto-pilot so much of the time, then I an angry with myself for missing the moments of my life as they open.
When I make myself stop and just look around, though, I am overwhelmed at how God blesses me. While I'm not looking, he gives me energy to go about my chores, a home to do them in, a husband to share life with, children to love, grandchildren to adore, friends who care about me, a car to go where I want to go, money for food and almost anything else I need or want.
I just don't stop very often to pay attention.
I've just put our youngest grandchild, Addison Grace, down to nap. She and her sisters are with me on Tuesdays, usually, but this week I have her all week as the sitter is on vacation. Anyway, I rocked her to sleep, watching her beautiful little eyes grow heavy with slumber as I massaged her little legs and feet and cuddled her close.
I've been able to rock five beautiful little grandgirls to sleep in my arms on a regular basis over the last 11 years. How can I complain about anything in this world when I've been given this privilege.
One moment of being fully present is as strong a jolt as a pot of coffee drunk all at one sitting. One moment of reality check brings me to my knees in gratitude for my life.
Whether I write another line or not, my time, each and every moment of it, is precious. If you are reading along this little blogpost today, why not fill in my particulars with your own, and see if you come to the same conclusion as I have: Life is a privilege. Breathing is a joy. I'm shaking my head in disbelief and humility that I overlook 99.9% of my breathing time. One moment is worth a thousand, ten thousand words. Praise God for His saving grace.
