keeping first things first

this is one of my favorite books. in it, mrs. scheffer talks about the importance of building a museum of memories in the family.

As a father, as a mother, as a parent, what lovely things do you have in mind to make the mornings and the days full of expectancy? How is your faithfulness being demonstrated; how is your example of faithfulness being shown? Have you ever spent time and imagination thinking up ways to show this? A little child is meant to be able to have some understanding of this description of God the Father, because of what that child has experienced in an earthly relationship. “The Lord is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him” (Lamentations 3:24). Thus when your child waits expectantly, sitting on the step, feet kicking the dirt, looking up the street — what sort of a response does he or she get? How much reality is there in the goodness you demonstrate? And when the little one patiently climbs the stairs, dragging a toy behind him or her, seeking you, really seeking you, wanting communication of some sort — what is the reception? What kind of an example are you of God’s promise that “Him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out” (see John 6:37).

what a privilege it is to be the collector of memories for our family museum.

may i be more aware of how i am spending my time, and more present at home. it is so easy to spend too much time on the computer, too much time on housework, or too much time on other things. i think this article says it well.