My daughter can be sooooo slow getting ready. I found myself getting really frustrated trying to get out the door, and rushing her. Then, I read this verse: “Calmness can lay great errors to rest.” (Eccl. 10:4)
That morning, instead of hollering up to my daughter to hurry up and come downstairs, I went up to see if she needed any help. After trying the former many times, I prefer the latter. We walked downstairs to breakfast in peace.
Before we left for school, we started the process five minutes earlier, so even though she was taking a long time to simply put her shoes on, I didn’t need to rush her.
The words, “Hurry up”, wanted to seep out of my mouth, but I sealed my lips.
And one minute later, she was ready. Our morning was much more peaceful for her, her siblings, and me, because I didn’t rush her.
One minute. It was worth it to bite my tongue.
Believe me, I’m not always that patient, but I sure hope to get better at it. Instead of creating moments of worry and anxiety, I can help create moments of joy and peace.
Instead of depleting those moments, we can add to them by LEADING with peace.
I love this quote from Ann Voskamp’s book, “One Thousand Gifts” about one pastor’s greatest regret in life:
“Being in a hurry. Getting to the next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I’ve ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing.”
Let’s embrace the thousand gifts, tens of thousands, right in front of us, by slowing down, mimicking our kids’ pace, and welcoming His peace.
Let Summer Begin!!!
Linsey Driskill 
Your words always speak so directly to me in my life and convict me in love where needed. Thank you!
Lindsay, thank you so much for letting me know – that is so encouraging. I feel like as moms we can all relate to so much of the same stuff which is why we’re on the same page. Thanks again, awesome mama!