take time to play

From MOB Society:  take time to play:

“Mommy, will you play cars with me?” 

Without even glancing his way, I quickly reply, “Not right now, Mommy is washing dishes. I’ll play later.”

I’ll be honest, there is always something I “should” be doing–laundry to fold, dishes to wash, beds to make. My never-ending list is like a scrolling billboard in my brain. I could fill up my days with the mundane tasks of homemaking and I still wouldn’t get everything crossed off my list. Sometimes, in between all of the doing and list crossing, I neglect my highest calling–mothering.
It is in those moments after I make an excuse, his eyes sadden and the look of disappointment appears.  I feel a tug at my heart and a whisper to my soul, “It can wait, daughter. It’s okay to play.” Sometimes I choose to ignore it, repeating my excuse to the Lord. Other times, I surrender my list, crawl in the floor and play without abandon.  The play time is always sweeter and the moments more memorable when I sacrifice my own plans and choose to play.

“What our children will remember most about their childhood when they grow older are two things: how much love was in the home, and how much time you spent with them.”— Richard Swenson

When my son recalls his childhood, I want him to remember that I took the time to play with him. I don’t want him to recount rejection and placing trivial things higher on my priority list than spending time with him. Investing time to build relationships requires that we unplug from distractions and enter into our children’s worlds. In the early years, this means joining them on the floor–pushing cars, playing games, building forts with the couch cushions. As they age and join sports or social activities, we have to be intentional and plan time to show them how much we value them.

So today I challenge you: Choose to play.

Invest the time it takes to build intimacy in your relationship. Trade in one thing on your To Do List for a chance to make memories and deepen your relationship with your son.  It doesn’t have to be big–blow bubbles, run through the sprinkler, challenge them to a video game, read an extra book at bedtime…anything!  Let’s count the cost and invest in our children first. Trust me, the dishes will still be there waiting.