I don’t have time. That thought runs through my head on a
daily basis about many things. Fun outings. Kid meltdowns. Personal interests.
Whenever I think of the things that I want to do and don’t get to do, that’s my
internal response. The voice that whines in my head.
What thing would you like to do that you don’t have time to
do? For you? Maybe you like to sew or read or paint or craft. Think especially
of those things you want to do that do not have a tangible benefit for your
family but are a way for you to create something.
I have a friend who makes fun t-shirts for her
family to wear. I have another friend who has a direct sales business that she
loves, and the income helps her family get through each month. That's fantastic. In this day of
Etsy and blogging, mamas can turn almost anything in a money-making endeavor or
turn their creative passions into tangible items that benefit their families.
But, while that’s admirable, the rest of us who can’t handle the stress or
logistics of self-employment (trust me, I tried a few times) and whose passions
can’t directly benefit our children and husband still do desire things that bring
us joy and feed our souls.
So, that thing? The one that you look forward to and love
doing but takes time away from your homemaking, mothering, homeschooling, paid
position, wife duties, etc? Do it anyway. Seriously. You have my permission.
You don’t need it, but you have it.
As women, often we want to make lovely things, especially
in this fallen, broken world. I remember growing up, noticing that my mother
would sew and write and garden for fun. She enjoyed it. Sometimes it benefited
our family directly, but sometimes it was just something she wanted to do. And
it’s so difficult for me to follow her example.
But God made women as part of His creative genius. Beauty is
of God, and I’m not talking the perfect Pinterest-beauty. I’m talking the art
made with your heart. In my experience, when I do set aside that time, 15
minutes here and there or an hour or two once a week, my soul soars. I gain
peace and confidence that does directly benefit my family. Mamas, you know this
is true.
So, again, I give you permission, and I beg of you. Please,
this week, take some time to do that thing. I made myself sit down and write this, and I challenge you to go do something that brings you joy - and brings God glory - and come back and share what you did! Our world is a messy place, but if we find beauty and create beauty, our souls
will glorify God and His light will brighten our often dark and dismal world.
