When I mentioned being stressed last week, my very wise friend Tracy emailed me with a book recommendation: Mitten Strings for God: Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison. I took one look at the title and requested it from my local library. Two days later, it was ready for me to pick up.
I love it when life’s that simple!
Not surprisingly, so does the author of this book. With chapter titles such as “Peace”, “Quiet”, and yes, even “Simplicity”, Kenison speaks to the heart of my problem. I am rushing through my day and likewise, I am rushing past my life. In savoring some of the chapters of this book, I am setting some goals for the week ahead.
Ahem. For example, I want to be more present to my children and keep my face to them (not my back). I want to establish some traditions—tea time & cookies at two, perhaps, or the nightly read-aloud in my bed. (We had been doing this a few months ago, but since school started I have been neglecting this ritual.)
In short, I need to slow down and sip my coffee, rather than slam it on the go.
Kenison says,
“Given our other obligations and the length of our to-do lists, it is all too easy to forget the good stuff—namely, how much we actually like our own kids as people, how much we enjoy their company, and how important it is for us to have fun together.
Mothers can get so caught up in the caretaking that we may overlook each child’s need to be seen as an individual with unique tastes and temperaments and gifts. But mothering is not just a simple matter of meeting our children’s physical needs. We must also strive to meet them at a deeper level, recognizing in each one a special character and fate. It is up to us, as mothers, to see these soul qualities and to honor and protect them. Alone with our children, one on one, we have a chance to see and hear and accept them as they really are…”
You can read more here.
I have the feeling that this book’s been on many a nightstand since it was first published in 2000, but it is new to me and it is just what I need to be reading. Thank you, Tracy!
Have a blessed Sunday, everyone. Don’t forget to cozy up and watch some football if you’re able. Can you guess which team I’ll be cheering?
(The answer may surprise you.)
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
Could it be?
(Your Wisconsin neighbor) 🙂
Could it be you are rooting for the Packers? Your boys would not allow such a thing, so that can’t be it. You know who I will be cherring for. Go Packers, Go Packers, Go!!
Thank you for the book suggestion. I just reserved it at our local library…thanks to the handy dandy internet!
Margaret,
The mother of 2 of my piano students gave me this book about six years ago, after I’d just had my 2nd child and was teaching nearly 30 students.
What a blessing it was then–I think it provided the impetus for me to reduce my studio by about half and slow down!
Interestingly enough, that woman is now my oldest child’s 4th grade teacher, and I’ve been thinking about that book for the last month.
Your post has reminded me it’s time to pull it off the dusty shelf and get some gentle nudging to simplify, once again–especially this time of year!
Sounds like just the book I need, though I’m sure my library does not have it.
Did I mention before that my library stinks?
that sounds like a great book! – I just went back to yesterday’s post and read the comment you made back to me that I “brought a lump to your throat” and I thought – in fairness – I must update on my weekend. I did go swimming with my children and then even took them to see a movie last night. (My husband is away visiting his mom -so the kiddos and I are on our own all weekend.) Anyway, it is now almost 11pm on Sunday evening… I have 2 baskets of clean laundry sitting on my bed waiting to be put away. I have the “non-refrigerated” groceries waiting for me by the pantry door- to be put away. I have… etc… Ahhh! Isn’t tomorrow Veteren’s Day so maybe I can have a shortened day of school tomorrow to get my work done. The kids would be overjoyed. Alas, it was a good weekend!
I am all over this book. I have a few friends who could use it too. Off to the library web site to see if they have it…thanks for the recommendation.
I love that book (mentioned it on my own blog a few weeks ago). My original copy came from the library, but I had to own it, so a purchase was made. I have a feeling that I will refer back to it often!
I am in the middle of reading it now and LOVE it. However, I think that the subtitle does it an injustice. Something about stopping to smell the flowers might have been better.
*gasp* I thought I was going to be able to commiserate with Theresa, but our library has that book! Adding it to my list…
I am trying to “catch up” (a little) but, I did order this book online for only around $2, looking forward to it!!!