American Dream

"Do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of."  ~Benjamin Franklin


What's important? Do we get caught up in all the details of "living" that we miss life? Do we let all our work rob us of joy that we could be experiencing?  I know that I can be guilty of this. I can get caught up in laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, PTO stuff, and everything else that is my responsibilities.

These duties rob me from so much. I allow them to distract me from my time with God and time with my family.  The most important things in my life.  I know that I need to be a better guard of my time. I need to be constantly reviewing what's on my to do list and possibly shove off a few items.

So why don't I?  Pride. I take a lot of pride having a clean house. I have pride in doing things the "right" way and being organized. I feel the pride of completing projects around the house too.

It comes at a cost. I can lose precious moments with my husband and children. Instead of snuggling up with my hubby while watching his favorite show, showing him love and affection, I can be on the computer trying to figure out how to pay the next PTO bill. I lose that moment of tenderness. I can be doing laundry all day and be missing out opportunities to be sharing life with my kiddos. Maybe I miss the opportunity to make snow angels outside with them and giggle. Maybe it's sharing what's going on over hot coco. I can be busy playing games on the computer, just trying to zone out and I miss out on hearing God speak to me.  Why? Cause pride and busyness. 

Doesn't the "American Dream" teach us to work really hard and we can achieve greatness?  It's not God's dream though. I am not perfect. Never claimed to be. I know what my castles in the sand can be, if I allow them to be. I don't believe that I'm alone in this. Everyone can have some castles that they are "tending" to instead of making God and families priorities. It's time to put away the American Dream. It's time to realize the blessings that are all around us, if we just slow down. It just isn't worth missing out on the good stuff especially when this life is already so difficult.