Crazy busy life

What a crazy busy life we lead! I think Friday and Saturday were just absorbed into thin air before I could even register that they were actual days of the week.  With days like that, its no wonder we forget to stop and revel in the little things.  It's no wonder we lose site of whats most important in our lives.  It's so obvious to me now, as I reflect today, why patience is not something achieved one day and you have it forever, but it is a constant effort to grow and nurture.  
Friday was filled with a never ending list of tasks on my to do list.  Pay the bills, get back to our accountant for taxes, make Barrett's lunch for school, get the boys ready for the day, get myself ready for the day, get Barrett to school, take Wynn to his 6 month checkup, go to the grocery store....and so on.  And believe me I could keep going.  I am sure that any parent out there reading this can completely relate.  Even if you're not a parent, I am sure you can commiserate on having one of those days that just doesn't stop.  In some ways I find this kind of day super rewarding and great, given the fact that my husband is deployed and that's just one more day down.  To the rewarding point....Holy Moly!!! I did it!!! I made all that happen on my own!!! High five for mommy :)
Looking back on this day it was very difficult to stop and take in the little things.  It was just so crazy and so busy.  I hope I didn't take for granted the 20 minute little breakfast time I got to spend with my 3 year old.  He ate so well and we got to talk.  He told me about the yummy strawberries he was eating and how much he liked eggs.  What a joy to hear his little vocabulary grow and to watch him gain confidence in expressing what he liked.  Sometimes I think that maybe with kids it's always easy to take note of the little things.  They are after all, little humans and everything they do is new growth.  But is it really that easy?  Well, maybe with a whole lot of patience and an even larger amount of love. 
As I am reflecting back today I know that I cherished that time we had together, even though I also know my eyes were keeping close tabs on my watch and my mind was pretty busied with what I had to do next.  I know I made sure to exercise my patience to slow down and allow him time to tell me about how yummy those strawberries were and time to eat a great helping of eggs for him.  How easy it would have been to say "hurry up Barrett, we have to go!"  
Life is all about choices.  And my 3 year old has been one of my greatest teachers in the lesson of patience.  I learn every day that if I can take just a few more seconds or minutes to allow him to accomplish a task, like eating well or even picking up his toys, surprisingly time was all he needed.  Tantrums are averted, life remains peaceful, and we grow together in our relationship of mother and son in communication.
Patience is a constant effort but so amazingly worth it.  I have recently read the book Humility by Andrew Murray.  If ever you needed a great reminder, lesson or just help with this elusive thing called patience look no further.  It's not the quickest read but it is only 55 pages long. Today I will leave you with this tremendous and (for me) life changing quote from the book.  "Amid what are considered the temptations to impatience and touchiness, to hard thoughts and sharp words, which come from the failings and sins of fellow-Christians, the humble man (or woman) carries the oft-repeated injunction in his heart, and shows it in his life, "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as the Lord forgave you."
Love you all! Never forget in your crazy busy lives to look for the little things :)