Every Friday in summer, our family gathers together on our back deck at 5 p.m. for pina colada smoothies. Despite all the fun adventures we go on throughout the week, I think we all cherish this time the most. It’s a chance to chill out, and just be together.
Zack just got a new game for his birthday. It’s all about quests and imagination. He and Mason asked asked if we could play it as a family during pina colada time. We said yes.
Zack had made up the story line of the game: one character’s wallet got stolen. The rest of our characters were banding together to track down the robber and get the wallet back.
I was completely into it, and ready to have my character help save the day. I was all about the forward momentum to achieve the end goal. Zack and Mason were not.
Twenty minutes later, they were still going on and on about the intricate details of a battle they came up with in the first three seconds of the game. The battle had NOTHING to do with catching the robber. I was losing my mind! How were we going to catch the criminal if his trail was growing cold?
In my frustration, I voiced my concerns. I asked them how we were ever going to meet our objective if the journey was taking so long. Why weren’t we staying focused? When were we going to make progress?
Mason turned to me and said, matter-of-factly, “Mommy, you’re missing the whole point. The fun of the game is the journey.”
Wow!! He’s 100% right. The journey IS the point. Whether it’s a game, a Friday afternoon, or the span of all our days combined, it’s all about touching the lives of other, and being in the moment enough so others can touch our lives. How do I keep forgetting this?
Even St. Paul, who had the vital task of spreading the faith in the early church, knew that God wanted him to “enjoy being with others for a time.” I’m sure it’s what fed him, rejuvenated him, and made his work more meaningful.
So, yes, there are things in our days that need to get done. Yes, we do need forward progression to make them happen. But God has wrapped up surprise after surprise for us in every moment of every day. If we’re only focused on the end product, we miss unwrapping all those gifts God wants to offer us along the way.
Questions For Reflection:
* Am I too focused on the end game to enjoy the journey?
* If so, what changes can I make to be more in the moment so I can enjoy God’s gifts along the way?
4 1/2 cups ice
2 – 6 oz. cans of pineapple juice
2 – 5.2 oz. containers of So Delicious vanilla coconut yogurt
3/4 cup Coco Lopez cream of coconut
1 1/4 cup So Delicious coconut milk ice cream
Put ice cubes in first, then everything else. Blend well. Garnish with whip cream and cherries. Makes 5 glasses.
Shifting My Perspective 
Out of the mouths of babes!! Amazing what children can teach us!! I love how your kids
give you inspiration for your blog! xoxo
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The list of ways my kids humble me and teach me is endless!!! Thanks so much for commenting, Mom.
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AMEN! 🙂
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Simple but true! Thanks for reading, Frances. 🙂
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