The Pleasure of Anticipation.....

.

Why is it that we need to remind ourselves to relax, unplug and let go? Life is full of so much -- so much to do, so much to see, so much to write, so much to read, so much to say -- SO MUCH! All these modern conveniences and the desire to 'have it all and do it all' has got us stretched to the limit. And I'm speaking from personal testimony, of course..

After the practicing and the 2 nights of the play (and subsequent adrenalin rush); after the every-day with 2 new-to-me kids (one of whom can be a little trying) as well as the tears from the daughter in university and the one daughter downstairs who likes to stay up until the wee hours of the morning & eat the leftovers you planned for tomorrow night's dinner; after the headlight on the car blowing and waking up Sat morning of the play to find the sump-pump downstairs stopped sometime during the week (and there are pools of water in the back basement .....and it's still raining outside ..... and your friend/handyman is away for the weekend); AND you've got your first exam on Tues night ---

.
.I'm ready for some R 'n' R!

.
But first, we'd better check to see what's on my to-do list this weekend:

.

.

Perfect! And you know, it's not that I don't have things to do. And it's not that I won't do anything. It's just that there isn't anything that I must do!

.

How's wonderful is that? I get to choose!
.

Plus there's bonus stuff that allows me to indulge myself this weekend! There's food in the cupboard and casseroles in the freezer so children will not starve. Because of my exam, I don't have any studing for next Tuesday. Both the car and sump are fixed. The stretch-mark babies have been spoken to (in various tones depending on the circumstances); and the international babies have a 4 day weekend (so I'm expecting boredom to set in by Fri when I get off work; and that should mean that they'll be going out; and that equals an empty, quiet house).

This is my weekend to unplug from responsibility and expectation. I've been thinking about this weekend for over a week; and it's almost here! Hurrah!

Here are the things that I KNOW will happen this weekend:

• Quite a bit of sleeping
.


• A small but effective portion of bubble-bathing (with or without wine & music)
. .


• Worship, prayer & giving thanks to God (followed by lots of smiling and contented sighing)
  
  
• A rather HUGE amount of lounging (&/or TV watching, reading, eating of bonbons)


• Some answering of questions and requests with "No. Not today."

.

Yes, sometimes we overextend ourselves. And sometimes life just does a number on us. But a weekend off with nothing to do is a powerful tonic to the soul.

.

Heck! Just the anticipation of this weekend has me "turning the other cheek" and smiling from ear to ear.

.

I may or may not see you this weekend! But I joyfully anticipate rest; and I wish the same for you!

.

.