Yesterday those shoes stayed right there from lunchtime til long after bedtime. Right there. In the middle of the living room floor, having to be stepped over to get to the kitchen or back door.
When Bubba took them off and they landed there, I was in the middle of 10 other chores. I added "pick up Bubba's shoes" to my mental To-Do List.
But I forgot. And the next time I noticed them- I almost tripped over them- I saw them differently. Something in my spirit said WAIT, slow down, look, notice, be thankful.
Instead of seeing those shoes as something else to pick up, a task on my neverending list, or an annoying habit my kids do, I fell in love with the plain and simple fact that there are little shoes on my living room floor.
I love that I have busy, active children.
I love that their feet are still small enough to fit in these shoes.
I love that my children have a place to throw their shoes, and that they feel safe doing so.
I love that we can afford a home, with a floor, a living room, and shoes.
I love that I have a boy. And a girl.
I love that I'm physically able to do housework, and that I'm capable of managing my home.
I love that I was called and chosen by God to be my kids' Mom.
I love that small voice that gently reminds me to love these things. Now.
I let those shoes sit there in the middle of the floor all night. Every time I stepped over them, or saw them in my peripheral vision, I saw them with from a different perspective.
what can you look at today with a different perspective?
"Joyful are those who live like this!
Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord!"
-Psalm 144:15 (NLT)
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this was first posted 29 April 2010
