When it comes to big-picture thinking, it seems there are countless more parenting books and resources promoting the concept of living in the moment. And while I’m all for learning to appreciate these singular gifts and even continue to count them myself, I believe limiting ourselves to the here and now of motherhood also limits us and our children.
How easy it is for just one moment to consume and drain and overpower us faster than we consume our first cup of morning coffee. How quickly we lose focus and motivation because the impact of a moment knocks us off-balance and even off course. And how unexpectedly we find ourselves held captive by the drama of a moment we can’t seem to escape.
Instead of marking our moments, they leave a nasty smudge on us and our day. We become the mom we never wanted to be…
the angry mom who gives up control~
the defeated mom who gives up hope~
the impatient mom who gives up peace~
the fearful mom who gives up strength~
Cherishing motherhood is about not expending so much energy on the pixels that we forget to see the big picture. Share on XWithout the ability to shift our moments toward the big picture, we repeat the cycle over and over with each new day, never living up to our potential and unable to direct our children toward theirs.
Big picture thinking is a path to preparing our children for a blessing.
One of the best ways to prepare our children for all God has for them is to live above and beyond our moments. To resist the temptation of basing tomorrow on the circumstances of today. We have to be willing to practice the habit of stepping back, away from the chaotic pixels of our day. To regroup and focus on the masterpiece we’ve been commissioned to paint. To lead our children toward their limitless future.
Motherhood is a wild and beautiful masterpiece, and every child is our magnum opus. Share on X
It has the capacity to take our breath away. When we see our children living out what they were meant to do. When we see passion alive and soaring through their veins. When we see them becoming all we imagined and more than we imagined.
Big picture thinking is a habit. One that needs time and practice to develop.
It’s seeing the long-term but not controlling certainty.
This equips us to flow through the difficult moments and stages of motherhood with a wide lens that still allows for life outside the lines. A life uncontrolled by stress, because we know where we’re going and how to get there. We’re able to understand that even though it takes time for the lens to focus, we are still balanced and heading in the right direction.
This gives our children confidence and courage for what lies ahead. And it keeps us out in front of them, calm, focused and assured that we’re not doing this alone. Because a big picture view is a continual glimpse into the heart of the One who created our children for more than we can imagine.
It’s action-oriented through the mundane.
We don’t have to be marked by our moments. Instead, we can learn from our experiences and lead through them. When we practice big picture thinking, we’re continually setting goals and directing our thoughts, emotions and actions instead of being led by them.
The routine has a purpose and the mundane becomes a vital brush stroke in our magnum opus. We learn to live beyond appreciating each moment to living with the expectation that no moment is meaningless in creating a magnificent future.
It’s innovative and expands our little slice of the world.
Because we know where we’re going and where we’re leading our children, big picture thinking also allows us to realize there’s more than one way to get there. Any bump in the road becomes an opportunity instead of a hindrance, making a way for creativity and brainstorming. Our goals for our children remain alive and thrive in the midst of challenges. We’re able to lead them toward their bent and instill a sense of hope and eager expectation for what’s ahead and how God will bless.
It’s compelling and exciting and contagious.
When we practice big picture thinking in how we nurture and direct our children, we’re energized. All the little pieces hold meaning and purpose. All of motherhood becomes satisfying. As we experience the benefits of staying the course, excitement builds because with each success, the picture continues to come into focus and this is so very contagious.
This is where our children soar as God leads them closer and closer to their purpose.
And this is where we experience overflowing joy and fulfillment…
as God CONFIRMS and AFFIRMS our purpose.
Catch up on previous posts in the Cherishing Motherhood Series…
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