Doing what you enjoy

In an effort to be more attentive and obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, I find myself opening up Blogger while I've got a sleepy babe next to me (3 hour nap, what?!). It doesn't seem like such a risk to write a blog post, but I'm learning to discern, and some tasks are greater than others. Also, no matter how meaningless or thought-provoking, having people read what you wrote is kind of nerve racking.

Before I became a mom, I never thought twice about doing what I enjoyed day-to-day because I could do whatever that was so freely. Go to Target? Yes! Lunch with friends? Of course! Impromptu road trip? Count me in! Spend time in nature? Yes, thank you. No one else to assume responsibility for or to schedule around (well, except Kevin and he is always game for any of that).

Fast forward to today, nearly 3 months after Naomi's birth. I have found myself lost in a sea of dirty baby clothes and dishes and the mundane tasks that every day requires. I have to make brushing my teeth a priority if I want to get it done. Going out for any reason takes approximately 30 gazillion times longer with a baby. I forgot, yes, honestly forgot what I used to enjoy doing. Now, don't read this as I don't enjoy being a mom. Naomi is the sweetest sugar there ever was. But do read this: I'm not only a mom, and you're not only a fill in the blank here. I'm a unique, hand-crafted person, and so are you, whoever you are, whatever you do. God gave me [us] passions and a sense of humor and needs that cannot be fulfilled unless I [we] am meeting them with the things God has given me to enjoy. Ya feel me?

Yesterday, I stepped out for coffee with one of my dearest friends. I left the babe with Kevin and just went for it. AND IT. WAS. AWESOME. And get this, I was only gone for an hour. One hour of doing something you enjoy can bring so much freedom and such fresh perspective to your life. For me, sitting at a Starbucks with my friend having meaningful conversation is my jam. And I didn't realize how much I needed that until I couldn't do it whenever I wanted. I didn't realize how looking at Christmas decorations at Target could make me feel like a new woman (except I kind of knew this because something weird happens to me at Target when the Christmas decor is out). Or how watching the Cosby Show could bring such incredible joy. I'm so thankful for these little things that help make me, well, me. Refreshed. Renewed.

Is this making any sense? Of course I'm writing this now from the perspective of a brand new mom working around a completely different schedule and list of priorities, so I know that's different in a sense. But I really, really believe this is applicable to all people: moms, dads, single, married, whoever you are. We are all guilty of busying ourselves to the point where we forget to do what we enjoy. God has a personal love language with all of us. He knows what we love, he knows our sense of humor, he knows what makes our hearts excited. And he gave us those things for a reason. We can't abandon them, we can't extinguish them or throw them to the side. They are a gift that in some unique way connects us to our Creator.

So what do you love doing? Riding bikes, knitting, cuddling up with a good book, coffee with friends, playing music, or watching a movie by yourself? It can be the smallest thing, but I encourage you to make even the tiniest amount of time for it this week. I pray that in doing so, you'll discover just a little bit more about who you are and who God created you to be.