True Treasures and Distractions

 The week in Wooster with Cooper meant that the OBS went by the wayside. Even though Cooper was very well-behaved and caused no problems, even though he kept himself occupied when Gary and I were working hard on the cleaning-out process, by the time bedtime came, I was just wiped out and not able to focus.

Plus other things were on my mind.

Today the setting is different.  Exchange the house in Wooster for the house in Pyrmont,. change the self-sufficient nearly 4-year old to an into-everything toddler, and the situation totally changes.

During nap time, however, I was determined to catch up, just a little.  At least make a start.  I watched the video from last Monday with close captioning since Gary was in the room and watching something else.  Not good results.  He was talking to me.  Owen's banter with himself came through the baby monitor.  It just didn't work.  So I switched to just reading the chapter.

High points for me, once I got into the reading again, were several.

Treasures. Those things or people or values we find most important to us.

What are mine?

Faith for one.

Family for two.

A sense of purpose for another.

Living my life as a Christian also is important.

Distraction? Often this word has a negative connotation, but things that distract us can be good things in their own ways.

For instance - a teachers life focuses on not just the classroom, but in the preparation and the feedback needed so students can grow and learn. A great teacher will spend some time outside the school day, or even the school calendar, preparing.  But that can be a distraction when it comes to time with family.  Grading research papers instead of a trip to Michigan for an AAU tournament comes to mind. On the one hand the trip was good for Gary and Hilary - memories created that they recall frequently. On the other hand I missed out on a fun time to read and mark papers at the end of the semester for students who didn't care about anything except seeing the final grade.

I wish I had gone to Michigan.

One distraction that Jennifer mentioned in her book was the need for a clean house, which is a good thing, but it can also become a distraction when the "comfort" of the home goes by the wayside or when time with family is exchanged for cleaning time.

A conversation comes to mind that Gary and I heard between Mom and Dad.  He said that often asked Mom to ride along with him on an errand to Lowes, or to Walmart for a few things, or out to Rural King. Most of the time she declined, saying that she needed to run he sweeper, wash dishes, clean the bathroom, change the sheets, or some other household chore.  He never understood why she couldn't just go with him, grab lunch somewhere, enjoy the beautiful weather, or just take a drive after the errands.  She responded with her need to make the house perfect, that she was raised to do her chores first, then have fun.  He countered with the fact that the carpets did not need to be swept each and every day, that dishes could sit in the dishwasher until the next meal, and that there were plenty of towels so the laundry did not need to be finished that day.  She would not budge, but continued to protest.  He looked so sad.

I learned from that.  When Gary makes an appointment for an oil change for one of our vehicles first thing in the morning, I follow him into Winamac and we stop at Kostas for breakfast.  When one of us has a doctors appointment in Lafayette, we both go and enjoy lunch somewhere and some shopping, plus a stop to see the kids.  Could I stay home and cook breakfast for myself or wash the Windows or work on the quilt instead?  Sure. But spending time with him is one of my treasures and the distractions will still be there for focus on another day.

I don't think I will ever forget the look on Dad's face while Mom was explaining why it was so important for her to stay home and run the sweeper daily instead of goingeith Dad for an afternoon outing. I don't want to be like that. And I also think that the timing of this OBS is perfect for this season of my life.

Treasures. Very important to safeguard.