So here’s the thing.
So much of where we want to create white space is in the spaces where we just have responsibilities. And life. And commitments. Jobs, mortgages, finances, child-raising, cooking dinner, doing endless loads of laundry, carpooling, diaper changing, breaking up fights amongst siblings, caring for our parents.
It’s just life. Sometimes it breathes life into us and sometimes it robs us. But it is life.
What I’ve learned, though, is that if I do all of those life things well, and am a good steward of my time in those areas, then there is white space.
And in that white space is where God has room to move. I have room to breathe. We have time for relationship and community and all the really great stuff that breathes more life into us.
The truth is, I didn’t have a lot of white space this week. I did my responsibilities, but I’m overcommitted on projects I can’t get out of right now. In many different areas.
And all that running around has caused me to miss out on really great things. I’ve lacked stillness and margin and, as a result, haven’t been able to hear or see all that God wanted me to this week. What did I miss because I gave my white space away?
This is about being intentional. Being good at what I do. Not procrastinating. Doing my day well. Loving well. Getting that laundry washed, dried, folded and put away so that I can move on to the next thing and hear the conversation that I’m having with my friend over coffee. And give my undivided attention to my child when he confesses something bad that happened at school.
I want to be available to love and to listen and to create relationships. Not to be rushing and apologizing.
Getting the big stuff done leaves room for the really good stuff. The most important stuff of all.
Each day, we’re telling our stories and people all around us are watching how we do it. How we speak, how we spend our time, how we commit and how we love.
Having the time to build relationships, be vulnerable, and create breathing room is the most rewarding challenge of all. It is there in that white space that we’ll see God move and see lives change.
This is Day 30 of 31 Days of Creating White Space
“Each day, we’re telling our stories and people all around us are watching how we do it. How we speak, how we spend our time, how we commit and how we love”
Oh my goodness, yes. I am a firm believer that what you do is far more important than what you say and I want all of my family and friends to know that I am committed to spending more time with them.
I am 51 with one child out of state in school. I spent the weekend with several college friends. One of them has been the last (deep breath here) six weeks going through papers. She has 3 kids (one in college and two in high school). She has never thrown away anything they have ever brought home from school. She has decided to now go through it. I say this to say that what you’re talking about during this series — and hanging with doing the dishes every day, and folding the laundry so you can concentrate on other things — will keep you from spending six weeks going through paperwork that could have been handled in 90 seconds every day. I might add that she’s still not through! I began this year trying to be more intentional. Thank you for the October reminder.
Yes! Love this. I am all about living intentionally, and it leaves me feeling so much more fulfilled. Of course obligations sometimes get in the way, but like you said, being deliberate with my time provides me with the “white space” to truly be there for others and focus on what is really important. 🙂
With each read, I find myself anxiously awaiting your next post. Each word is God breathed, and has been encouraging to me. While I wish this series was neverending, I know you are obedient in your writing, and I look forward to what God places on your heart to share next. Blessings, sweet friend!