Delights!

Our lives are filled with delightful moments and events. Some of my favorites are tender kisses from my husband, fresh falling snow, time to gaze at a clear night sky glittering with stars and the thrill of a spring storm and a long list of other goodies. My favorite delight is time spent with loved ones.

This morning, my daughter Kristina strolled over to my place and we had a long chat. We talked about all kinds of things--silly stuff, plans for Christmas, and even life-changing decisions that need to be made. When she first showed up, I battled over whether to visit or to stick to my plan and get to work. In the end, time with my daughter won out and I gave myself over to the pleasure.

When my children were young, my office had a sofa and if my kids wanted to plop down on it to take a break from their busy schedules of play so they could visit, I'd made a commitment to always stop and listen. They were a higher priority than my job. They usually didn't stay long. I think they just needed to be reminded that I was there and that they mattered. Soon they'd be off after some new form of entertainment. Now many years later, I think back to those interruptions and I'm so thankful for the delight they brought into my life.

My children are still showing up, but not as often. When they do, however, it is still a delight. And just as in those early days, my work shouts for attention. But for me the priorities are more clouded. What matters most--work of family? My children are grown up. Do they need me "right now"? Sometimes the answer is yes and sometimes it's no. But time together is still as important as ever, maybe more so.

If that's true, why does the question about how to spend my time feel less defined? I'm not sure, except that when my children were young, although I worked, I was still a full time mom. Now, my grown children have their own lives and I have mine. I sometimes have to make the hard decision to work instead of chat. But whenever possible I choose family over work, even if that means working late into the evening (like tonight). I'm not willing to give up the treat of connecting with the ones I love. They are gifts from God.

There is a thing called balance and I believe in it. I'm still searching for "perfect" balance, athough I'm certain I'll never find it. What I do know is that I can't get back treasured moments I've lost. However, work will always be here, the sink will have more dishes tomorrow, dust will reappear and there is always a book to be completed.

Have you let the delights of life go by because the voice of work and responsibilty shouted loudly? Don't listen too closely to that voice, just enough to draw near to balance.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie