I watch the blue, pixel stream surge along its banks as my email loads, and remember the days of dial up. Back then I’d set the computer to do a task and go off and busy myself so I didn’t waste precious moments waiting for the page to load. Sometimes it was 3 paragraphs in a book, or one shirt ironed, or a phone call made–I couldn’t stand to just sit there so I chose to fill those waiting moments.
This week I found myself wishing my life had a status window like my inbox. I’d like to see if I’m 74% of the way there, or have only progressed 13%. As if that would help the waiting. But waiting is waiting. And I was reminded this week to make the most of waiting.
I’m talking about ‘Living like there’s no tomorrow’ but that phrase is a bit cliched for me, not to mention overwhelming. Today let’s ask ourselves,
- What if I lost internet connection tomorrow? How would I use this connection/platform/window today?
- What if I was moving out of state next month? Who would I spend one more afternoon with, or what spot would I take my kids to one more time?
- What if I sprained my wrist tomorrow? What would I create today?
- What if my camera broke this afternoon? What would I capture this morning?
- What if I got laryngitis tonight? What would I declare today?
When we’re waiting–
for something to change…
for a mountain to move…
or a life event to ‘upload’…
…we need maximize this moment! If I lost my chance to blog tomorrow, today I want to say to you–Dance in this moment, Sister!
What did you decide to do with your waiting moments after reading this post? Let’s inspire each other in the comments…
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Trina, this is a great post with a wonderful challenge! Thanks so much for sharing!
Before moving to AK, I spent an afternoon with my mom. We sat in the parking lot of a favorite store and wept over time and opportunity we had lost, not knowing when we might next see each other. I committed then to living life to the fullest, without any regrets. A tall order.
There is little I wish about Alaska (except that the time hadn’t been so short), but ever since that moment with my mom I have tried to cherish life more. There are still sometimes not as many hours in a day as I would like, and I don’t always make the best choices in how to use them, but I’m striving for each one to be more meaningful. Yes, we may be unemployed right now, but I have my husband home all day each day. This time is precious. God has been showing me that.
ThiIs post was delicious to read 🙂
Where is the newsletter sign up?? Could you sign me up? Jyl
Hi, Jyl – the newsletter sign is in the sidebar right underneath my picture. I signed you up – just click the confirmation email you receive. 🙂
Hi Trina,
I just clicked on a link to this post (I don’t even remember where from!), and I *so* needed to read this, right now, at this moment. Thank-you 🙂
~~Rosie
Hi, Rosie! So glad you’re here and that you were blessed.
I love this! Such a good reminder, I try to live like this. We’re in a bit of a transition te right now and instead of letting it overcome me, I’m trying to make the most of it while we still live here in this locale.
Wonderful post!
For me, I gave babies a few extra snuggles and “I love you”s.
Trina,
Waiting for life? Never! (sarcasm font needed).
It’s so easy to get stuck spinning our wheels in these moments now when we think it is hard and waiting for it (life) to get better when really we need to be finding joy in the pretty now. Thanks for this reminder 🙂
LOVE this post.
I always tell myself that waiting days are meant for soaking up the sunshine of here and now, and for finding all the treasures that God tucks into every kind of day…so that when they are over, we can look back and never regret any of those moments. 🙂
I remember when my husband and I were in Haiti and had a particularly “homesick” day (with half a year still ahead of us!) and I was praying and felt God say, “If you were going home tomorrow, what would you want to enjoy today?”
It completely changed my perspective and helped me enjoy each day as if it was my last.
P.S. Your kids are SO stinking cute… I just want to come take pictures of them! 😉
Natasha, talented photographers are always welcome to use my children for models! (Especially since my camera is broke!)
Love your Haiti stories.
Hmm… In my waiting moments, I want to love God more than my creature comforts (sleep, tea, chocolate, entertainment) and be in constant communion through prayer (this is so difficult!), show my husband and daughter that I love them by paying attention, looking them in the face without being distracted by the meaningless, and to live the gospel for my family while wiping runny noses, cleaning up vomit, and cooking dinner (http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-application). Good challenge Trina, and an interesting way to think about one’s life span, what percentage is already downloaded. By the way, your daughter is beautiful!
Thank you, Rachel! Loved where you are choosing to set your mind. “Looking them in the face without being distracted” – YES!