Home
I find myself desiring to be home more often these days. I think back on my years in college and even post graduation where I always wanted to be doing something, traveling with friends, making new adventures, moving to a new area, and making all of the fun memories.
These days, I find myself more relaxed and at peace settling in at home with my dog.
It’s the simplicity of it all.
Too often, our culture craves activity all of the time. We want to have a full schedule, a filled calendar, and a jam-packed weekend of excitement. Believe me-I remember those days. I remember the mere adrenaline feeling of seeing my week always filled with places and people. It almost became an identity piece. My coworkers would say “Wow Jess. You’re always busy doing something!” It was like I was proud of the fact that I was always busy.
Busyness for me over the years started to turn to burnout. I started to actually lose myself in all of it because I was so focused on always trying to be somewhere with someone rather than being content with going home every day and having a set routine. Though there was nothing “wrong” with always being busy, I have now seen the affects of it by this almost guilt feeling of having an almost empty calendar each week.
But there is beauty in the mere empty slots. I know they are not filled with emptyness but rather a fullness of quiet, slowing down, and allowing myself a chance to breathe and take in the goodness around me. Not having a busy schedule means I have more time to pay attention to the things that matter most to me:
Having sweet quality time and conversations with my best friend, aka my husband
Catching up with long-distance friends through text or Marco Polo
Creating a bullet journal…finally
Noticing the people around my apartment building
Making our little home a comfortable, cozy, and inviting space
Sitting outside with my dog while I drink coffee and spend time with the Lord
It’s actually a gift to not have a full schedule. It’s time to take in our world the Lord has given to us. It’s a chance to see your loved ones and listen to them talk about their day. When we fill every moment of every day with something, we forget to stop and listen. I would rather be a person who has less going on in the week in order to focus on the quiet simple things in life rather than be known for always staying busy.
This home has become a safe little haven. A place to breathe. A place to create. A place to laugh. A place to hold memories. A place to hold on to.
I’m grateful for our little space because to me it holds a dearness of meeting God in new places.
