Enjoy the Journey

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps. 118:24

“Yes, Lord, I’m glad for this day. I’m glad I can get so many things done today, ” I pray as I drive the children to the library. Three stops with four children in less than an hour. I smile. I’m making good time.

As a “Type A” personality, I tend to focus on the tasks I have to do with completion in mind. I enjoy marking lines through the items on my to-do list, the more the better. I have projects going in every direction and others I want to start.

I believe God wants us to be hard-working, productive people, but He also wants us step back and take time to praise Him for the moment, to enjoy the time we are in, to “enjoy the journey.” I read those words again not long ago and thought, How can I enjoy the journey when I’ve got so much to do?

Sure, the lists are still there, yet instead of focusing on the end result, we need to enjoy the process, including the process of raising our children. Do we have children just to say we got them successfully through toddlerhood, childhood, and adolescence? Or do we have children to hold them, love them, laugh with them, cry with them, experience life with them? Instead of becoming frustrated when the two-year-old pours himself a bowl of cereal all over the floor, step back and smile and praise him for his efforts. Instead of yelling at siblings for arguing, take a breath and thank the Lord for the opportunity to teach them the Golden Rule. This is the day God has given us, this is the day we have with our children; let us remember to enjoy them!