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A Serendipitous Approach to Spiritual Growth

by Filed Under: Minnesota Me, Reviews, Spiritual Growth, Stuff I Think About While Folding Laundry 8 Comments

ser·en·dip·i·ty (noun) the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for

According to my Facebook feed, many home schooling families began their school year yesterday. We start tomorrow, despite my delusions about when and if ever summer should end.

It’s been such a nice summer, really.

A game-changing summer, serendipitous and grand.

Grand?!  you say. What are you, British? Nope, still just a lowly little Minnesotan. (Thus the name I’ve stuck on this blog.)  I do admire the Brits, however, especially their penchant for drinking tea.

Except in my case, it’s coffee…

…and hanging out in the Jeep.

(The giant marshmallows are optional.)

The reason that I’ve been hanging out in the Jeep has to do with this thing that Francis does. He toddles over and flashes those big blue eyes, holds up one hand, and gestures “Come.”

It’s totally cute. In fact. there are few of us that don’t cave when Francis asks us to come. 

Also? This is a multipurpose gesture. By it, Francis communicates all sorts of needs, from “May I have some water?” to “Read me a book” to “Let’s go hang out in the Jeep, okay?”

Being a mom to this kid is so very different from when my now-teenage kids were growing up. Back then, I felt stressed and busy pretty much all the time. There is so much I don’t remember from those early days–all those little moments, you know?–because basically, I was just trying to survive.

I’ve said this before, plenty of times, but it really helps when the kids start helping.

Also, I’m calmer now because so much of it doesn’t matter.

So much that I thought really mattered doesn’t matter.

* * *
What does this have to do with serendipity? 
I’ll tell you. It has to do with Francis’ come-hither fingers and God’s exhortation to “Come and see.” The more time I spend simply...being with him, the more I give myself to the moment and be (as they say) truly present to others…
The more I see God.  The more I hear God. It’s as simple and wonderfully uncomplicated as that.
* * *
Would you like to know what’s worked for me this summer? I’ve narrowed it down to three little habits that (truthfully) are not very little at all. On the contrary, they are HUGE. 
1. Think win/win when it comes to your kids. Stop resenting them for interrupting your “real” work or looking at them as merely a means to an end. Also, (and this is kind of random but it’s been on my heart) stop beating yourself because they love the computer.  Ask me how I know about this! I have spent years lamenting the fact that my kids weren’t…I don’t know…these perfect little naturalists that prefer spending time outside to every other activity. I’m letting go of the guilt and this is why: They love the computer–i.e. Club Penguin, Minecraft, Animal Jam–because it’s fun.  Their wanting to have fun doesn’t make me a bad mom; they want to have fun because it is FUN. I do, however, need to teach them temperance, and I’ll do that best by my own example. How do I have fun? How do I seek inspiration? Do I draw? Do I pray? Do I read great books?
And with that said…
2. Limit the time that you yourself spend on the computer (or whatever electronic device you use).  Really limit it! Cut back on the news-checking, the blog-reading, the Facebook. You will be happier and much more content. You have to trust me on this one! (And I know that you do.) You gotta let go of the endless Internet clicking. You gotta put a cap on your curiosity and look for inspiration within, because it’s within yourself that you’ll find God. Let go and let Him. Those Pinterest links can wait. 
Again, this habit isn’t easy. I am an online inspiration junkie, always looking for the next quick fix. Unfortunately, I can spend so much thinking about what’s “out there” that I completely ignore what (and who) is on hand. 
Which brings me to Habit Number 3…
3. Be happy with where you are right now. Stop thinking “if only” and instead, seize the day. Why seize today? Because tomorrow never comes. 
God wants nothing more than your trust and your joy. He’s got your back! Stop worrying! And for heaven’s sake, please stop feeling petty and envious. There is no greater kill joy and you  & your family deserve more. Again, you have to trust that I know about this, because I am the queen of turning green.  
You don’t believe me? Okay, how about this. As a mommy blogger with biggish aspirations,  I felt quite…forlorn about that Edel Gathering last month. “It is good you are here!” Hallie said at the start, and I thought, “It is not good that I’m not there.” 
In short, I turned into a big pouty thing.
And then God started to work on my heart. He worked on me via the talks, which are wonderful; He worked on me via blog re-caps like this one; and he worked on me–surprised me!–by this book on my shelf.

I’ve had this book for years and years–had no idea I owned this book but there it was and here I go. 

A work in progress, dying to self or at least trying.

Letting go and letting Him…

Letting go and  let them.

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Comments

  5. Anonymous says

    Those three goals are a continual work in progress for me and I must do better, so thank you for the 'kick in the pants' reminder. Here's some more serendipity for you (or for me because I REALLY do need to refocus on those goals)… I'm writing from Nova Scotia. Love the t-shirt!

    Reply

  7. alishiahanson says

    I don't know if I've EVER commented before, but I've been reading your blog since…May 2009! We both had babies that month, that's how I remember. I had to comment today because your thought in number one about "why are my kids naturalists…" is so funny because I've lamented the same thing about my kids (who really are rather observant about nature) while I'm sitting on my couch looking at my iphone about naturalist things for kids. So funny. I expect them to be perfect sometimes and let myself slide.
    Anyway, I always appreciate that you keep it real. Thanks! And have a good day, Patents Girl 😉
    xo

    Reply

  8. Sarah says

    An excellent end of summer/re-thinking school beginning post, full of nuggets of knowledge. My favorite kind of posts-ones that challenge and teach me. You always do them well 🙂

    Reply