"I HAD FUN!" That may not sound like a big deal, but it is to me. As a recovering perfectionist having fun means that for a period of time I was not trying to be perfect. For one hour on Sunday I was FREE, completely FREE. I did not think about it, I did not plan it – it just happened.
We were at our friend’s house swimming in the pool and there were all these cool floats and I began to think of how much fun it would be to jump off the diving board onto these assorted floats and try to assume various positions and stay on the float. It started with an innertube – interestingly enough it was an American flag float – let freedom ring (no pun intended). I climbed onto the diving board float in hand and carefully positioned it in the water, so I could make my move. When it got to just the right spot I turned around and plunged, rear first, into it. Success, I stayed on and laughed and laughed and laughed…so did everyone else. I found another float and so it went for an hour. It was FUN!
I realized Sunday night, exhausted from having all that FUN, that I have not had fun in a long time…too long. I started a bible study this summer (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World) and for our introduction question, they asked, “What do you like to do for fun?” I froze…fun? I have no time for fun. I am Martha. It made me sad. But, now I am happy to say and I will tell my bible study group tomorrow – I HAD FUN.
My husband and I talked about Sunday and how much fun we had and then we realized that all three of our kids were in floats and were occupied most of the day without whining, clinging or complaining. Because they were confined to their respective floats and the pool we did not have to be on constant duty. It was relaxing. So, do I get a third mortgage and install a pool? Make them wear their floats around the house? I do not know the answer, but there is something to this. How can my husband and I have that time together to just have fun? To be a couple? Maybe the better questions is, "How do I incorporate fun into motherhood?" I do not know…if you have the answer I am all ears…suggestions welcome too! Or, maybe this is just one of those things that me and the Lord are going to have to work out?
We were at our friend’s house swimming in the pool and there were all these cool floats and I began to think of how much fun it would be to jump off the diving board onto these assorted floats and try to assume various positions and stay on the float. It started with an innertube – interestingly enough it was an American flag float – let freedom ring (no pun intended). I climbed onto the diving board float in hand and carefully positioned it in the water, so I could make my move. When it got to just the right spot I turned around and plunged, rear first, into it. Success, I stayed on and laughed and laughed and laughed…so did everyone else. I found another float and so it went for an hour. It was FUN!
I realized Sunday night, exhausted from having all that FUN, that I have not had fun in a long time…too long. I started a bible study this summer (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World) and for our introduction question, they asked, “What do you like to do for fun?” I froze…fun? I have no time for fun. I am Martha. It made me sad. But, now I am happy to say and I will tell my bible study group tomorrow – I HAD FUN.
My husband and I talked about Sunday and how much fun we had and then we realized that all three of our kids were in floats and were occupied most of the day without whining, clinging or complaining. Because they were confined to their respective floats and the pool we did not have to be on constant duty. It was relaxing. So, do I get a third mortgage and install a pool? Make them wear their floats around the house? I do not know the answer, but there is something to this. How can my husband and I have that time together to just have fun? To be a couple? Maybe the better questions is, "How do I incorporate fun into motherhood?" I do not know…if you have the answer I am all ears…suggestions welcome too! Or, maybe this is just one of those things that me and the Lord are going to have to work out?
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3 comments:
I am working on that myself. I, too, am a recovering perfectionist. :-) I don't have any miraculous answers, but we can keep encouraging each other...
WAY TO GO!
I am so excited that you had FUN on Sunday. What a wonderful gift God has given us to have FUN. What joy!
I, like you, fought perfectionism for years until I realized that I had replaced a scripture with my version instead of God's. That scripture was "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". My version was "I can do all things through I who strengthens me".The revelation of this changed my life.
Another great lesson learned by me on this subject was when a sister-in-Christ told me that I needed to learn to just "be" and not just "do". This was totally foreign to be because I had "doing" down to a science. I began to practice just "being" and what peace and contentment I found in my life. Now, I can be and do as the Holy Spirit leads.
Praying that perfectionism becomes a thing of the past in your life as God teaches you to let go and let Him.
Shalom
How wonderful for you. I too am a recovering perfectionist so I so understand.
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