Finding beauty in the distractions of life – Carry on My Heart

I’ve heard it said that “writers write.” In light of this, a goal of mine has been to set aside time to write every day for 2019.

What can I say, it’s been a moving target so far this year…

However, I can at least focus on Tuesdays and Fridays because my younger boys, whom I home school, go to their co-op school on these days.

So, this past week I had a plan all mapped out to get the boys off to school and then go spend the day writing.

My morning was supposed to be spent at my desk as the sunlight filtered in, clicking away on my keyboard and enjoying a warm cup of coffee.

Although, that’s not exactly how it went…

The best-laid plans

I go to a wonderful little bible study with a group of moms from school on Tuesday mornings. It’s an hour of prayer and talk of God that blesses my morning and sets my perspective straight.

I had big plans to come directly home after my little bible study and get straight to work on writing.

Instead, I walked over to the school with a friend of mine after our prayer group. We were discussing art and inspiration—she as a painter and myself, a budding writer. We discussed how we work and in what environment is best. She then asked if I wanted to see her newest artwork she was working on.

Well, sure, why not?

It was beautiful.

It inspired me to go home and write…

We said farewell and I went inside to check on my son before heading home. Sitting down in my son’s class I ended up spending thirty minutes talking with another friend about her life and the struggles she has been having.

I excused myself after a while and decided it was definitely time to go home and write.

Outside of the door were a few other moms, we talked about cute sweatshirts, sugar-free diets and spilling drinks down ourselves.

It was a wonderful, light and much-needed moment to laugh.

But I really needed to go home and write…

Just as I was leaving, a teacher I really respect walked up and told me she’s a grandma for the first time. She told me how it wasn’t planned but that she admired how her daughter was handling being a mom.

We talked about life and how we all have our own unique stories. I was blessed with a few, rather rare moments with her before she was snatched away with a pressing event.

I walked out of the school that unusually sunny winter morning, feeling full and thankful for an environment that nourishes not only my boys’ spirit but my own. Crossing the street with the high March sun on my face and leafless branches waving hello, I couldn’t help but sing praises to my God.

Now it was definitely time to write…

Walking through the door inspired, I saw my oldest son and husband sitting on the stairs. They were clearly in a deep conversation.

I sat down my purse and coffee cup and started to head into the office where my laptop lay, only to find myself drawn to sit on the bench in our entryway and talk with my boys.

The three of us sat for an hour talking about my son’s future and a goal that he has for next year that he finds almost impossible.

We applauded him for speaking his heart to us as we helped him plan and strategize.

Then we hugged and shed a tear or two.

And now, I write.

Sitting here staring out my office window at the unusually sunny but chilly, Pacific Northwest afternoon, I can’t help but be grateful for all the “distractions” in my life today.

My heart is full with the distractions God put in my path this morning.

Every story.

Each laugh.

Every tear.

Beautiful image bearers of Him to fill my heart and soul.

There are days that are entirely normal but I find myself tucking them away somewhere special to think back on.

This was one of those days. The kind of day that, I’m sure, will cause me to pause and smile as one of the “good old days.”

The kind where I hear God quite clearly saying;

LIVE—

In.

The.

Moment.

Distractions can be a gift

I’ve come to see that he speaks His love through many different voices: story after story and smile after smile.

On an average Tuesday when I’m in a rush to get things done—he causes me to pause and listen to the voices all around me.

He helps me to see that to-dos can wait, people can’t.

I don’t know what you are facing today. I can’t know where you find yourself standing in this moment of your life. But what I absolutely do know is that it is an amazing gift.

Every word and every soul put in your path is for a real and true purpose.

Friend, I challenge you to embrace your distractions today. Linger a little and listen to the words around you.

Don’t worry, that to-do list will be waiting right where you left it.

As always, friend, thanks for stopping by,