Fresh Eyes

I heard on the news that President Bush and Donald Rumsfeld felt it was time for "fresh eyes", meaning fresh perspective, in the war. I realized that God provides me fresh eyes through my kids. In the process of hurrying along through life, kids can slow us down (literally) and help us focus on the joy of life.

On Sunday night during Bible Study it started to snow. All the adults in the room rolled their eyes, dreading driving to work in it and the start of another long, cold Minnesota winter. Well, Monday morning when there was a few inches of fresh snow on the ground the kids were so excited they bounded out of bed and wanted to get out to the bus early so they would have time to play. When we got home that night after dark, they built a snowman, rolled a bunch of snowballs and made a snow fort. They are devestated that with the 45 degree temps today it is all going to melt.

We were running late on our way to gymnastics yesterday only to get stopped by a train in Carlton. I was annoyed - just what we needed! But the kids were excited to see the train. They didn't see it as an inconvenience at all.

I took the three older kids to a play on Saturday night. I was tempted to rush them along, but it was a special night out just for the big kids. Sometimes it is okay to just relax and enjoy the ride.

Sometimes we need fresh eyes in life, especially with our kids. When was the last time you giggled with excitement over the fresh snow and made a snowman or took the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of a passing train (without flipping through the radio stations or making a call on your cell phone)? Those are the moments that I hope to take advantage of with my kids. Just let go of everything else and share the joy with them. Who cares that we were a little late to gymnastics?

I wonder if someday when my kids are older or grown and gone if I will miss having someone sit with me at the train tracks? Or be sad there is no one to make a snowman in our yard and put my scarf on it?

I think I can learn, not only to enjoy my kids and our time together more, but I can also learn to enjoy God more. How else will I learn to slow down and gaze upon His beauty? I think I have some helpers for that right in my own house.

Psalm 27:4
"One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple."