It was the room that time forgot. Drafty in winter and dusty
in summer. It was cozy enough with a soft brown couch and a refinished trunk
full of board games that rarely ever got played…yet it was an extra room that
really didn’t have a purpose…until now.
One on one time is scarce in a home-school family. We have
chosen the lifestyle of experiencing things together as a group. We school,
play sports, bake, and thrift store shop, take field trips, craft, and even
work and do chores together. As awesome as that is, it leads very little time
to just be with one child…alone…chatting about what is going on in their lives/hearts.
The Lord has really laid it on my heart lately to treasure my kids. To let them know how important they are to me, and that they
are not an inconvenience. There are many ways to go about this, but for my
girls it is most definitely shown the most in listening. They want to tell me
about every book they read. They want to chat about a movie, friends, favorite
things, dreams, goals, and all those things that go along with growing up. Try
as I might, I can’t always find the time to just stop what I’m doing, sit down,
and listen. Oh I’ve tried, but with three sweet girls who have been given the
gift of gab, I’m sure I would never get anything done.
So, once a week, that cozy little forgotten room, will have
a much valued purpose. It will serve as a mother/daughter lunch date. I will
get to pray with and for my daughter…alone. Those rarely used board games will
be pulled out. A simple lunch served on our best dishes (you know, the ones
that aren’t plastic), along with some sort of liquid served in tea cups, will
be enjoyed together. My phone will not enter this room with us, and the other
two girls will be instructed to respect this time…for they will want it
respected when it’s their turn. We’ll giggle, read a book together, play games,
and chat.
Why so spread out and only have one date a week? I want this
time to be intentional. I want it to be a time we look forward to, instead of it
becoming just another thing on the calendar. Sometimes less really is more…
What a blessing this time has been for my girls and me. Out
of all the things that I do for my girls, this will probably be one they
remember the most. They can’t wait until it’s their turn. They save up things
they want to talk about or questions they want to ask..and it’s so simple.
Doesn’t cost a thing…but is worth so much.
Getting to know your children’s hearts takes time…time well
spent!
