Thinking generationally. It is something I’ve been considering lately.
This phase of life in which I’m currently immersed (specifically, lots of little children), makes it easy to hyper focus on whatever is happening in the moment, because there is SO MUCH happening all of the time!
Whenever I am obsessing over all the things that need my attention IMMEDIATELY, it’s easy to feel like I’m drowning under a mountain of to-dos. But when I shift my focus to the bigger picture, these are just little bumps along the road to a destination. Sometimes it’s more than a little bump, maybe it’s a steep hill, or it’s particularly rocky. But it’s all part of the journey, and the level of joy and beauty in the journey is very much dependent on the way I react to the challenges.
So when I start to get discouraged and overwhelmed, I try to think generationally. It helps provide vision, and solutions for the “problem” at hand. For example –
Problem: the girls are having drama with each other and want to tell me all about what the other one is doing wrong. Vision: if they don’t learn how to manage their feelings, emotions and attitudes when they’re young, they’re going to be miserable women, and if I brush them off now, they’re not going to come to me when they’re older and the drama is much more serious. Solution: take a deep breath, don’t complain about the interruption, help them solve the problem.
Problem: James and I don’t have as much one on one time as we’d like because the babies are needing attention. Vision: Just give it 20 years or so. Our babies are going to be grown up, and our grandbabies are going to be needing their attention, while we get as much time together as we want! Solution: in the meantime we do what we need to do so that when that time comes, we are best friends and not strangers full of resentment toward one another.
Problem: Teddy is dirty from playing outside and does not like baths. Vision: yay for creative play outside instead of being obsessed with screens, plus it’s only a few years before he’ll be wanting to shower without Mama’s help! Solution: don’t get flustered by the screaming and just pour on the water!
Problem: messy eaters leaving pieces of food and splashes of drinks on the floor. Vision: do I want a spotless floor and children who are afraid of the reaction to their messes, who can’t wait until they’re old enough to spend most of their time out of our house, or do I want a family who’s comfortable at home because it’s overflowing with peace and joy and patience and mercy for human failings? Solution: bite my tongue, hand the children a towel or a vacuum, teach them to clean up after themselves.
All too often I find myself failing at the proper responses. But fortunately, God’s mercies are new every morning and the opportunities for handling new challenges are endless.
It sounds cliché but time really does fly by so fast. Every day we are creating the legacy that we will leave behind us. The generations that come after us WILL be affected by our actions. Will they suffer because of our sinful decisions or will they be blessed because of our obedience?
(photo credit: Kaylea Washburn)