With the end of the musical the two older kids were in this summer, the end of July approaching, and the first stretch of sunny days, it finally felt like summer vacation started last week! Since we finally had rehearsal-free days and almost nothing on the calendar, I decided the kids and I needed to have a vacation week. We went to the pool almost every day, saw the Minion movie, played mini golf, enjoyed relaxed mornings at home, and spent a day at an amusement park with dad and grandparents. Of course, in the midst of it we still had to grocery shop, wash clothes and dishes, prepare meals, and tidy the house now and then, but in the relaxed context of a "vacation week" even the chores didn't seem so daunting. What a beautiful week it was!
I was so tickled to gaze on the blankness of the end of July and all of August calendar. What peace for my frantic soul! There was an opportunity for the kids to try out for the second summer play at the Playhouse, but for our sanity I made the decision not to let them try out. My heart was a bit pained, knowing they would miss out on The Fantastic Mr. Fox, which is such a fun story. But we have been working our way through the book Margin in Sunday School, and I knew Wisdom was telling me we needed to get back to family dinners and evenings together in August, before everything picks back up in the fall. A margin in our time would provide that. Of course, I was still disappointed I couldn't have my cake and eat it too: a peaceful schedule with play participation!
Mid-week, the temptation came. I received a message from the previous show's director that there was still a need for actors for Mr. Fox. Ooooh, such a great opportunity! Should we just do it? There is a need. Maybe I was wrong about not participating.
Temptations don't have to be evil, you know. There are many good things that can pull us away from what is best. I knew the right thing was to decline the good thing for something better - something I needed, something the kids needed, something the family needed - a free August. Remembering that our friends had not gotten a chance to try out, I told the director our kids were not available, but perhaps our friends were still interested.
Man, I really hate to feel like I am letting someone down. And making decisions for your kids that are wise is not always easy; THERE ARE SO MANY COOL THINGS TO BE A PART OF! Being open last week meant being willing to "choose the better over the good," a little phrase I heard someone share at a leadership training camp I went too way back in year 2000.
The biggest challenge is letting the Lord guide us in wisdom, so we can make decisions that honor Him. I have gotten back into reading a chapter of Proverbs a day and I love how the opening chapters talk so much about wisdom and how good she is to those who seek her. I will leave you with these verses from the beginning of Proverbs 2 for contemplation:
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
Time to Take Action: Are you in the midst of needing to make some decisions right now for yourself or your family? Ask the Lord for wisdom to see the better rise to the top over the good things. Ask Him for the strength to say confident yeses and nos where needed. And then trust Him, by making the decisions to which He guides you. May He bless you as you seek Him!
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