Slowing Down

Nature of a Servant Michigan

“I love doing the dishes,” Youngest sang, dipping her oversized rubber gloved hands into sudsy tub, bubbles overflowing onto the countertop. 

“Huh?” I stared, astonished, “Why don’t you do them at home then?”

“Grandpa and Grandma have the best view! If we had a view like this, I would do dishes all the time.”

Nature of a Servant Michigan

Mind you, there isn’t a GE, Bosch, or Kenmore anywhere around. The only dishwasher in my in-laws’ home is the person delegated to standing in front of the sink.

Youngest, creating soap sculptures in between scrubbing each plate, went on, “I would love to live here when I’m older. There’s no rushing around everywhere.”

True. Rushing has no business around these parts. The whole day’s activity may be mowing the lawn. (It’s a big lawn.) When folks drive by, my mother-in-law can peg who it is just by the sound of the vehicle. 

I read a story about a guy in Toronto experimenting with living his life like it’s 1986…no iPhones, no home espresso machines, no cable. (I don’t get that last one. I was definitely watching my MTV since 1980.) Really, I could save this man a bunch of time. Just come live with my in-laws. Life on this Michigan farm only inched forward since 1975.

Disclaimer: They bought a desktop 10 years ago and they do have internet. They’re not cavemen, for goodness sake.

Edd so looks forward to our visits to his childhood home. For a couple of weeks he doesn’t have early morning meetings, no urgent texts. The only reason to have an iDevice with him at all is to check Fantasy Football stats. 

Eldest and I have a tougher time slowing down. Our go-go-go personalities are so apparent here. We both struggle the first few days of a visit trying to find something to do. Eventually, we give in and find a bit of solace in the pace of life. (Plus, the girls get to watch TV everyday at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. That helps Eldest adjust pretty quickly.)

Not rushing means time for Grandma to teach cake decorating techniques.
And time for Grandpa to eat the results.

Soon we will head back on an early morning flight to Oregon. The afternoon we arrive in Portland, our schedule becomes hectic once more. At a time when the world mourns the terrorist tragedy against our brothers and sisters in Kenya, I want to remember to appreciate the slow; to use this extended Sabbath as a gift for prayer over the hurting and thanksgiving for the blessings I take for granted.

What is your favorite place to s-l-o-w way down?

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