Make ROOM

Today is the last day of school for most kids in our area.  We are at the summer starting line, waiting for the signal to hurry up and relax.  My brain is on a constant loop of " School's Out for Summer", "Summer Lovin''" and another song that I've been sinking into lately; " A Life That's Good" by Lennon and Maisy from the cast of the show "Nashville".

A few weeks ago at our church, the pastor was discussing social media and the reality that much of life is spent on our phones.  What resonated the most with me, was the concept of allowing for margin in our crazed, busy, instant download lives. 

MARGIN: a limit in condition, capacity, etc., beyond or below which something ceases to exist, be desirable, or be possible (www.dictionary.com)

When I pack, I see just how much I can fit into whatever carrier I have.  I carry large bags around and always find a way to fill them.  As a child, I was pretty committed to wearing a purse, in the event that something might occur and I might have the occasion to use whatever mish-mash of goodies I had toted along with me (thus affirming my insistence on carrying a purse).  When I create documents, I use the custom margin to fit as much on the page as I can. 

I like to be prepared.  I get more disappointed about finding myself in a situation without the hat/accessory/blouse/note/band-aid/etc. that might have come in handy than I do about things of FAR greater importance.   But this preparedness obsession in combination with my over-planning and over-packing tendencies are not leading away from having any margin.

Example:  
1. You spend a ton of time preparing (packing, pinterest-ing, planning).  Then you arrive at said moment where previous actions are useful.  
2. Before moment is over and often throughout the moment, you think of other things you might have done to be more prepared, and/or begin re-arranging or re-packing all of the "necessities" you brought. 
3. Conclusion:  You have spent more time preparing than living and enjoying.  Oops.

So this summer season, I am going to try and leave room.  For margin.  It will be difficult to be at peace with no plans.  I'll have more opportunities to let go of the fact that I don't have a kite or the perfect beach towel or the shimmery sunblock or that one beach toy that the kids love.  But my hope is that in the margin, blessed surprises fill in the spaces.  Moments of clarity, impromptu swim time with the kids, or a conversation with my child or a friend or my spouse.  Who knows?  I'm going to try it and hope you will too.

Here is the Lennon and Maisy song....hope it sets you off on a day that's good!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3wF_N2WdP4