I discovered the poem “Work while you work” (below) this weekend while I was hanging out at one of my favorite places – my church library. Though I found it in The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett, I discovered that it originally appeared in McGuffey’s Eclectic Primer, which was part of the McGuffey graded readers first published in 1836.
This week, I have a million things to do, and I’m sure you do too. I’m putting the final touches on my new book, getting ready to go out of town, rewriting the script for our Christmas show at church, and trying to edit a manuscript for a freelance project. With all of those deadlines hanging over my head, it’s tempting to rush through bedtime with my kids or put off lunch with a good friend.
But the Lord burned these words on my heart as a wonderful reminder that sometimes you need to put work aside and play for awhile!
I don’t know what you’re doing today. You may be working on a project, cleaning your house, or trying to soak up every last drop of summer with your kids. But whatever you’re doing, be fully present. Stop checking email during Chutes and Ladders. Stop procrastinating at the office with twenty-minute Facebook breaks. Just work while you work and play while you play.
Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?
I’m doing both! I’m doing a lot of blogwork and house work, but also taking the time to play with my little boy. I promised him we would make homemade popsicles today (he loves to help me put the fruit in the blender!) I cherish those moments with my little toddler!