Marinating

I find myself doing most things in life to get to the next thing.  Does that make sense?  For example, dress and feed the kids to get to an appointment...clean the house to prepare for guests...shower and get ready to run some errands...study for school so I can have time later to do something fun with the family.  The list goes on and on!  It seems that many of the things I put my energy and time into lead to more things that take energy and time.

I know it's random, but it got me thinking about something.  MARINATING.  When I put some chicken in a pan with a yummy marinade, I expect a process to happen.  I want the meat to absorb and take on the characteristics of the flavors and spices in the marinade.  Right?  This takes time...the longer you marinate something, the more flavors the meat will be able to absorb...

I need to start marinating.  We move along so fast in our lives with busy schedules we don't give ourselves a chance to just sit and be in the moment.  When I read the Bible and pray, it's almost as if it's a box I need to check off on my list of "to do's."  Crazy, right?  I'm just keepin' it real here. :)  If I would simply rest in those moments and allow God to marinate into every fiber of my being, maybe I could actually walk away from my prayer time changed and renewed.  Instead of playing with our boys because that's what I should be doing as a stay-at-home mom, why don't I marinate in their silliness and wild craziness?  Be in the moment.  A wise monk once said, "Don't do the dishes to hurry on to dessert.  Do the dishes because there is satisfaction in accomplishing this simple task and it is a task you can do prayerfully."

Children are masters at being in the moment, although I fear that the overstimulation from electronics may steal this beautiful ability from their generation.  I remember one day seeing Noah laying in the grass looking up at the sky.  Without thinking, I immediately asked him, "What's the matter?"  Can you believe that?!  Even I have been desensitized to the simple beauty of laying in the grass and looking up at the sky.  Children are powerful examples of enjoying the moment without allowing the cares of the world to steal that innocence and purity away.

So, being in the moment doesn't just mean soaking up a beautiful moment with a child, getting lost in a favorite song, taking in the warmth of the sun on your face...it can also be applied to doing everyday tasks.  Recently, I have changed my mindset about doing my schoolwork.  I try to be present and appreciate the opportunity to study.  I prayerfully ask God to prepare me in these learning moments for whatever He is preparing for my future.  I vacuum the house with purpose...there is such satisfaction in doing something that has immediate results!  Vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, making beds are all opportunities to accomplish tasks and accomplish them prayerfully.  I am trying to simply do the dishes just because I can find joy in just doing the dishes...


Obviously, this is a process.  If you knocked on my door today, you probably would not find me vacuuming the house with praise and worship music playing in the background and me in a prayerful state.  More likely, you would see me trying to get my house clean so I can do something more satisfying...like going outside with the kids, or going camping, or taking a trip!  I'm taking baby steps.  I ask God to help me be more mindful about marinating in everyday tasks or events.  If I can find myself participating in this process more frequently, I know I will certainly begin to absorb and take on the characteristics of the simple, beautiful, and pure pleasures in life.