4th March, 2008
Perspective
My daughter received a doll house for Christmas complete with family and furniture. I wish she received a time machine instead, so the hours this toy has scattered across the house could be retrieved. Grandpa hides in a vase. Grandma faints under the couch. Sister peeks from the bookshelf. Mommy and Daddy search for Baby in the laundry basket. And lamps roll around the bathroom.
I didn’t get into this pick-up game completely clueless. While inserting screws for hours, I glimpsed a hint of the minutes this house would consume. It was worth it though. The finished product was perfect, the highlight of all the toys.
Two months later, the abandoned house sits in a corner. The furniture constantly gathered to make “soup” or “presents.” Will this nemesis of housekeeping be missed? Can I sneak it out during the night?
Maybe it’s an issue of perspective. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines perspective as “a glass through which objects are viewed.” Sometimes, the glass needs a good cleaning.
Gazing through the mist of life, requires imagination and hope. I clearly see the tasks of the day, but there is an unseen picture, of utmost importance, easier to forget. Sally Clarkson, author of Educating the Wholehearted Child, encourages me to continue overcoming my myopia.
Often, I find that in the absence of a clear enough vision for their children and homes, mothers replace conviction and vision with lots of activities and distractions for their children. This hyper-activity and rushing around to an endless list of expensive lessons and experiences and the buying of the newest expensive curriculum and technological options make moms feel like they are accomplishing something. However, when the home-life of children is rich with excellent, classic literature, passionate Biblical devotions, rousing dinner-table discussions around sumptuous, tasty meals, lots of love and affection given and household chores attended to—a child will become committed to all that is good and excellent and develop a moral and compassionate soul for all the divinely important values.
Moving the classic toy on top of the dresser brings everything into focus. My girls are now eye-level with the miniature world. Complaints turn into delight as Polly Pocket visits Sister Laura. Grandmother uses the stove to cook soup, instead of the kitchen table and chairs being stirred in a pan. The family and furniture often stay home now. Peace to us all.
Share ThisPosted at 12:30 am | Comments (8)
On March 4, 2008 at 8:59 am Charity said:
March 4, 2008 at 8:59 am
Thank you for that quoted passage. That was just the right thing at the right time for me.
Your girls are just darling!
On March 4, 2008 at 12:27 pm Mandi said:
March 4, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Amen! God has been giving me a dose of perspective lately as well. Building strong relationships with God and each other- that is where the right perspective lies.
Great passage – thanks for sharing!
On March 4, 2008 at 1:36 pm Renae said:
March 4, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Charity and Mandi,
I’m glad you were encouraged. I found Sally Clarkson’s article after most of this post was written. It fit perfectly.
The rest of her thoughts about motherhood are worth reading, also. If you are interested, there is a link from her name. The passage is underneath some personal notes, so be sure to scroll down.
On March 4, 2008 at 8:04 pm Melinda said:
March 4, 2008 at 8:04 pm
This was a lovely, well-timed message. As we begin home schooling our 15-year-old this week, I am acutely aware of the things that truly matter and the things that really don’t. My glass has been cleaned, it appears and I can see how much more valuable playing in the rain is for my toddler than a structured learning activity. I can see how much richer my older daughter’s education will be because we can laugh and play and have fun with her lessons.
On March 5, 2008 at 12:12 am Dana said:
March 5, 2008 at 12:12 am
Love that quote!
When my daughter was little, my hubby and I actually had an argument about toys. His philosophy is that you take one thing out, play with it and then put it away. That is fine in theory, but my daughter wanted to make a zoo. So I gave her the blocks and the animals. And the stacking cups for little ponds. We came up with all sorts of things for the zoo.
I’m glad he has loosened up a bit over the years. : )
On March 5, 2008 at 9:57 pm Renae said:
March 5, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Melinda,
I am excited and hopeful for your homeschooling endeavor. Love is the foundation. Continue building on it!
Dana,
I really like the idea of one toy at a time. I’ve tried it once or twice, but it doesn’t work. ;) When the kids are grown, I’ll shovel out the house. Until then, I will enjoy the laughter and creativity.
On March 6, 2008 at 1:41 pm heather said:
March 6, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Oh absolutely. That is exactly it. Like Dana my husband is sick of the clutter that comes of many different toys mixed up but I have learned to see it as proof that they are learning. When they do get sick of the mix put it in a garbage bag and hide it for a while then bring it out again, at eye level. It is amazing what a difference that makes.
On March 6, 2008 at 9:23 pm Kysha said:
March 6, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Oh, but I bet it’s so cute! LOL I know how you feel. I could count the number of times I bend over in a day to pick things up.