Life was sweet today.
Like every other human on the planet, I experience highs and lows in life. Some days are bitter, some days are sweet, and most fall somewhere in the middle. Today was one of those simple, precious, fleeting days- the ones that seem to last forever but go all too quickly at the same time.
I had a few reasons behind the idea of creating Soul Food Time. I wanted a place to share my favorite recipes, hobbies, and experiences while connecting with new people. I hoped to reach hearts through posts about my faith. But one of my biggest motivations was quite selfish- I desperately wished for a way to capture the little moments of this season of my life, the tiny snapshots along the way that I never, ever want to forget.
Today was nothing special, really, at first. We didn't take any big trips, make plans, or spend a bunch of money. Today was scheduled for simplicity, for nothing. This scheduled nothing comes at a cost sometimes, and it can be misunderstood. However, this intentional white space gives me time to connect with God and family, helps me stay balanced and at peace, and provides healing and perspective. In the nothingness of the white space of today, I tidied my home. I prayed. I sat and played with my dachshund's ears and talked to him, watching his bright eyes reflect his joy at the extra attention. I laughed with my husband as we watched Reed dance, rock, and trill "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" to Mr. Potato Head. I listened to the content sounds of my 3 week old nephew drinking the last few ounces of his bottle, stroking his soft, thin hair. I worshiped while listening to my favorite songs in my car, feeling the eyes of my two-year-old in the backseat observing my raised hands and out-of-tune notes. I felt soft dirt on my fingertips while positioning a new tomato plant. I took a nap. I walked with my in-laws to a local ice cream shop, jogging every once in a while to keep up with Reed on his little blue balance bike. We stopped suddenly as he braked, reversed, and stroked the sides of a bush gently, feeling each little leaf, and I thought, in each of these moments.... this is priceless. This is important. These are the snapshots that I never want to forget. Maybe I didn't do anything "great" or "exciting", or super-productive today. Maybe I was lazy and selfish. Maybe I wasn't perfect in any sense of the word, but I loved the people in my day completely and was fully present in most of the moments. Maybe I have nothing to post on Instagram, no new followers on social media, and I didn't volunteer, spend, network, or create. And that's okay. My soul is brimming tonight, full of memories, gratitude, and love. Yes, I know life can be bitter, sweet, or maybe just in between. But no matter what kind of day it is, seek to find joy by being present in each moment. Thoroughly experience the little snapshots in your day. Find beauty in simplicity, in rest, and in love.
Like every other human on the planet, I experience highs and lows in life. Some days are bitter, some days are sweet, and most fall somewhere in the middle. Today was one of those simple, precious, fleeting days- the ones that seem to last forever but go all too quickly at the same time.
I had a few reasons behind the idea of creating Soul Food Time. I wanted a place to share my favorite recipes, hobbies, and experiences while connecting with new people. I hoped to reach hearts through posts about my faith. But one of my biggest motivations was quite selfish- I desperately wished for a way to capture the little moments of this season of my life, the tiny snapshots along the way that I never, ever want to forget.
Today was nothing special, really, at first. We didn't take any big trips, make plans, or spend a bunch of money. Today was scheduled for simplicity, for nothing. This scheduled nothing comes at a cost sometimes, and it can be misunderstood. However, this intentional white space gives me time to connect with God and family, helps me stay balanced and at peace, and provides healing and perspective. In the nothingness of the white space of today, I tidied my home. I prayed. I sat and played with my dachshund's ears and talked to him, watching his bright eyes reflect his joy at the extra attention. I laughed with my husband as we watched Reed dance, rock, and trill "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" to Mr. Potato Head. I listened to the content sounds of my 3 week old nephew drinking the last few ounces of his bottle, stroking his soft, thin hair. I worshiped while listening to my favorite songs in my car, feeling the eyes of my two-year-old in the backseat observing my raised hands and out-of-tune notes. I felt soft dirt on my fingertips while positioning a new tomato plant. I took a nap. I walked with my in-laws to a local ice cream shop, jogging every once in a while to keep up with Reed on his little blue balance bike. We stopped suddenly as he braked, reversed, and stroked the sides of a bush gently, feeling each little leaf, and I thought, in each of these moments.... this is priceless. This is important. These are the snapshots that I never want to forget. Maybe I didn't do anything "great" or "exciting", or super-productive today. Maybe I was lazy and selfish. Maybe I wasn't perfect in any sense of the word, but I loved the people in my day completely and was fully present in most of the moments. Maybe I have nothing to post on Instagram, no new followers on social media, and I didn't volunteer, spend, network, or create. And that's okay. My soul is brimming tonight, full of memories, gratitude, and love. Yes, I know life can be bitter, sweet, or maybe just in between. But no matter what kind of day it is, seek to find joy by being present in each moment. Thoroughly experience the little snapshots in your day. Find beauty in simplicity, in rest, and in love.