Spontaneity (or the lack thereof)

I often get wrapped up in the daily grind, the routine of life. As I've settled into my career and family life, I've found that the spontaneity that I once had is now mostly gone. At least in the current season of my life. Marriage, kids, a job, volunteering at the church, and occasionally visiting family tends to do that.

Here are some things I've learned:

• Finding joy in the normal. Spontaneity can be overrated. There is absolutely nothing wrong with slowing down and taking in the everyday joys of life.
  
• Focus on the things you value. Slowing down helps to prioritize the things that are important to you. When you have to work around a schedule, you find out what things are worth investing your time.
• Take it all in. You have more time to process what is going on around you to avoid making poor decisions.

Now don't get me wrong. I have my moments of wanting to be spontaneous and just go have some fun. There's a time and a place for that too. I'm by no means advocating anyone to become a slave to the calendar and to not be open to an opportunity that presents itself in a moment.

Just don't resent the season you're in. Enjoy it.

Never

As this new year begins and as so many of us make resolutions, I am reminded of a resolution of sorts that I made a number of years ago back in 2005. You know, the statements that you feel so strongly about that you attach the dreaded never to.

Statements like "I will never move back to Louisiana" after moving to North Carolina just before Hurricane Katrina hit. I will never do that again. My kids will never do that or act like that. I'm sure there are countless other silly statements just like that one.

So I try not to make never declarations any more. I won't even go as far as to say I will never do it again.

It seems as though the times I make up my mind to never do something that God responds, "Really? Watch this." And in the never moving back to Louisiana situation, God brought me to my knees and practically made me beg for it to happen.

What are the things you'll never do? Be careful, you just might be glad you will have to do the never things.