Oh Busy Busy!

I'm trying to think back all the way to yesterday so I can come up with a list of fun we had this weekend. Seven mile bike ride with the Scouts. Grandpa Craig came along too. Four of the Fortier Five stayed at the park to help set up the picnic for the hungry pack that arrived red-faced and nearly starving. I'm happy to report that there were no injuries or incidents (not with my kid, anyway).

Then we came home and did some other stuff. But I can't remember what. Oh yeah, I walked with a friend while the kids played at the park and E got a haircut. David attempted to do this when he thought I had already left but I came back in to find a hat and hear Elijah giggling and having a good old time... Then I walked in to find David using the clippers on my baby's head. NO! Well, they were both laughing but David was really struggling since Eli wouldn't hold still at all. So I joined in and helped him finish cutting it all off, those cute little locks of hair. He looks older than ever now!

Today we finished off that big dirt pile in the driveway, planted 200 (or so) onions, went for a 3.5 mile run (the kids rode their bikes), watered the garden CHILDREN, rode around on our bikes some more and just really enjoyed the sunshine. And each other's company. It felt so good to spend the day outside. With each other. Working together, playing together, just being.

Is this what heaven will be like? Not trying to figure out the big theological questions or wondering what tomorrow will look like, but just reveling in today's joys? Spending time in Jesus' company, just enjoying his presence? Is this what more of my todays COULD look like, if I would just let go of my worrying and trying to keep track of my To Do list? I like to tell myself I don't worry a lot, but I've realized that I DO get pretty concerned when the things on my list aren't getting done when I think they should. So I guess I need to work on that. What happened this weekend was a lot of stuff getting crossed off the list, and the in-between time was filled up with things I wouldn't have bothered to list anywhere. So what does that mean? Forget the list? I don't know. But these two days, the Lord provided, in many many ways. Time with family and friends. Restoration, laughs, good food, work accomplished and memories made. Forget the list. Or at least, loosen my grip on it.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
~ James 4:13-15