The Blessings of Busy.

Something jumped to mind last week as we made one of our trips to dance practice or church or the store. Seems to me that when people ask how I have been, or what is new, the first response is usually "Things are crazy!" or "We've been running a lot!" or something of that vein. I think I have written here and elsewhere about wearing busy as a badge and how we use that to signify our importance -- the more stuff we are doing, then we must be in high demand or something like that. I have also spoken about trying to slow down and how we are too busy and that interrupts life and faith. Last week, I started an about face.

We have been following a few families via links who have children in serious medical conditions -- one baby with a bad heart and another girl with a serious brain tumor. The parents of the baby can only touch two parts of him as he is so fragile; the little girl is undergoing such intense radiation that she sleeps all the time (I believe she was a dancer and super active prior to this). The thought of both is devasating; I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for them both. Then I get to thinking about my kids -- the picture of health, active and energetic and invovled. Kristyn has good friends at school who want to hang out with her; she is a beautiful dancer and because of some skill has put in a lot of extra time at the studio in preparation for the Nutcracker coming up. Brady is wound -- he needs something to help him deal with the internal energy. Last week we did a creativity night; he is considering Taekwando this winter, and will do soccer in the spring because he loves it! Emy wants to be like big sis, and is dancing as well. She is constantly on the go at home, and a social butterfly at school. Three active, involved kids at home, and the calendar is pretty full at a glance. Throw Wednesday and Sunday church in there, it makes for a full week.

I used to resent this, honestly. I would try to figure out how we didn't have to go all the time. Last week, in light of the things we've been following, and seeing how much our kids enjoy the things they do, I am now considering our busy as a blessing. It shows that there is life in our home -- that we have been blessed with talented and creative and active kids, that want to use those gifts. I am also seeing the benefits of running them around -- getting to coach a soccer team and having a family join us at Zion through those conversations; the time with the girls in the car, the zany and sometimes heartfelt conversations that a Daddy gets to share. Being able to engage the other parents at these events, and after they find out what I do, hopefully being salt and light in the world whether or not they are followers of Jesus. Seems like busy might just be where Jesus wants us right now as a family -- able to go and do, and be hands and feet equipped with readiness when He opens a door.

Something to chew on...