Why Toil?

Life is a learning process. What I am learning right now is to live in the moment and not to let fear of an unknown future stop me from enjoying today.

Knowing that our family will soon be moving to another city could stop me from enjoying the beautiful city that I am in right now.

Knowing that we will have to invite new friendships into our lives when we move could stop us from making plans with the friends we have (and adore! and don't want to ever say goodbye to!)

Knowing that it is unlikely that I will live in this home next summer could stop me from spending time in my garden in this season. It is hard to toil when you are afraid you won't be the one to enjoy the "harvest"

...and yet I am learning that the toiling is the harvest. It would be so easy in all areas of my life to say "Why toil?" and therefore miss out on the joys of today.

Hands in the Sand

Getting his hands wet
Originally uploaded by Bleached Linen.

and when I am gardening these hands are in the dirt.

and when I am doing dishes these hands are in the bubbles.

and when I am pulling out the vacuum these hands are picking up crumbs off the floor.

and when I am holding my beautiful baby these hands are running through my hair. These hands are poking me in the eye or ear or nose or mouth.

These hands are moving rapidly across the floor as Eli becomes a crawler and begins his exploration of the world so large around him. (and as I learn very quickly which things I need to move up and out of reach in a house that has grown used to dangling wires, collections of rocks and breakable dishes.)