The trees are standing still and stoic this morning. The wind must be elsewhere today. Odd, with it being March and all. I have my window pushed up and it sounds empty outside.
I can hear the hum of the nearby highway and the song of a lone bird. But no rustling pines.
The children are still nestled, thankfully. I feel frustrated that I wasn’t able to rise earlier. When the alarm sounded, I just couldn’t get myself to stay in the upright position.
Our Easter was grand. I loved every minute of our celebratory weekend, but it’s got me spent. It’s understandable, with all the things our weekend held. But sleeping in makes me feel like a failure. I’m fighting this.
The oldest has emerged, with the youngest right behind him. The small one always breaks from his bedroom begging for breakfast.
I think about mixing up something warm, but I opt rather to toast him a frozen waffle. I did a lot of stirring and mixing yesterday. Monday can go without, at least until we reach the hour of another meal.
The oldest is outside, as usual. He is laying underneath a blanket, below a tall pine, bird watching. The lone bird that was singing us awake a few minutes ago, has beckoned all of the other birds to start their chorus, apparently. They are all sounding off loud and free now.
I know a few birdies like that. Fine people who know how to gently motivate others to sing the song they have been given. Special folks.
The girl is still quiet in her bunk. I expect her to make her way to me soon.
I need to unload the dishes, reload the washer, and crack some books. Monday just keeps closing in on me – not leaving much time for words to develop here.
But before I head into the grind of the week, I want us all to decide today that we won’t find our identity in how much we get done.
Today, we need to know that our worth is not found in how clean we keep the kitchen.
Our worth isn’t wrapped up in how much the paycheck is, how big the house appears, or how many likes your Easter picture received yesterday.
Your value isn’t vested in who noted you at the holiday gathering, how many sales you nailed last week, or the view that others take of you and your efforts.
Your identity, worth, and value – they were on full display yesterday. For a Creator and King to come, hang, rise again – all for the cause of saving sweet souls?! Your value was summed up, sealed, and shouted right then and there.
Live today as if it’s true. As if that act was indeed for you.
We should do our jobs, activities, services, and tasks very well. We are witnesses, after all.
We should show excellence in things, absolutely. But we should never find our identity in them.
Walk into the week, understanding that when you accept the Savior – you stand fully accepted.
(Even when you sleep in a smidge, Kate. Even then.)
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Want to start your day off with a song? Lean in. This is a good one.
