Lent 2021: Journal - Practing Presence

Continuing my Lenten journey into deeper, more conscious, and more intentional connection with my children, I'm writing through the journalling prompts given by Rachel Macy Stafford's Soul Shift Lift course.

What small moments in the daily routine are you using to engage in human connection instead of distraction? What positive differences are you seeing?

I try to be available by holding my tasks lightly, and looking at how urgent vs. important the thing I'm doing right now is. I'm by nature a task focused person, rather than people focused, so it's easy for me to feel like I just want to get whatever it is done and then attend to whoever wants my attention; but instead, I have stopped midway through loading the dishwasher or halfway through filling up the washing machine to allow a small person to help me with that, or left it altogether to be with them.

This isn't easy for me. But when a child has come to me, this week, with something they wanted me to do, or something they wanted to show me, I have put down what I had been doing and came with them. Focused on them. Gave them my attention and presence. It's definitely deepened my connection with them.

Reflect on a time in the past week when you chose to let go of a distraction and grasp a moment that mattered. What happened? What helped you to make that choice?

Today, after a 100% rain forecast, just before lunchtime the sun was gloriously out and it felt reasonably warm. Normally I would have continued with our day as planned. But today, ten minutes into starting on cleaning the kitchen, I thought better of it: this was our opportunity! And out we went, kids on scooters, just to the grocery shop but we stopped for half an hour's play at the playground. All in gorgeous weather, soaking it up after the long dark days of winter. As I sat and watched them play, as I pushed D(4) on the swing, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be right then. In the middle of my purpose and calling. It was beautiful.

What strategies worked well this week that you plan to continue?

I need to continue to consciously listen to my kids' invitations to connect, they so frequently seek me out... it's a beautiful privilege to be loved so much, and invited to connect over and over, that I really don't want to take for granted. The days will come when they'll ask me to leave them alone... but not yet. They want me. I want to fully and completely respond to that.

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