By Kelli Taylor
As a mom, wife and pastor, I’m presented with plenty of frustrating moments. In the gym, I feel those moments of frustration, too. What I am learning is that those moments are golden. Each moment is an opportunity for me to either throw a fit or to be fit. Our family car saw a lot of “throwing a fit” action until God gave me direction in a simple Bible verse. It talks about being prepared in season and out of season, when we feel like it and when we don’t. Now, I am happy to report, that instead of throwing fits in the moment, our family is increasingly fit for the moment.
PACKED TO MEET THE NEED
Take, for example, our addition of Blessing Bags to the cargo space of our E 500 station wagon. Like most family cars, our family car doubles as a treasure chest and a hazardous waste facility. The cargo space is filled with golf clubs, sweaty team jerseys, clothes to be dropped at the laundry, and the occasional unidentifiable food item breeding a new science experiment. But on any day, dig deep enough in the toy box we call the backseat, and you will find three or more gallon-sized Ziploc bags filled with pop-top cans of food, breakfast bars, toothbrush/toothpaste, Band-Aids, toys, and an all-purpose gift card. We call them Blessing Bags and they are one way our family prepares to be “in the moment” to meet a need: a hungry man at the Interstate exit ramp, an irritated, over-the-edge 2-year-old trying mom’s patience in the waiting room, or an elderly couple having difficulty loading their groceries in the parking lot.
These Blessing Bags have taught us two important lessons about being prepared “in the moment.” Be aware and be available. From the time we are in elementary school we are taught that planning for the future is really important. Certainly, planning for the long-haul has its place in life. But experience has taught me that life is littered with “in the moment” happenings, and doing these moments well is just as important as planning for the future.
Budgeting for the moment means
intentionally being prepared for the moment,
even looking for the moment in anticipation of it.
I spoke with a father recently who recounted this moment with his 21-year-old son. The son called him at 5:00 a.m. on his way to work. He was at the gas station and his debit card wasn’t working. The dad met him at the pump. After swiping his card for a thankful son, this dad learned that his son had been going without breakfast and lunch. Ten dollars cash-back in the dad’s pocket from a purchase the night before prepared him to be “in the moment” with a son in need. If he hadn’t had those few dollars in his pocket, he might have missed the moment. Budgeting for the moment means intentionally being prepared for the moment, even looking for the moment in anticipation of it.
But here’s the thing: Being “in the moment” doesn’t only open up our wallets ….it opens our sense of compassion and grace as well.
Family life begs us to be “in the moment.” In infancy, dirty diapers and 2 AM feedings just won’t wait. In these years, we tend to expect, even anticipate, having to be “in the moment.” In fact, every season of family life draws us “in the moment.” For newly married couples, the early days are a kind of proving ground for intimate trust and commitment. Often, without even being conscious of it, newlyweds test the waters on the question, “will this person I have pledged my life to be here for me, now, today?” Young children demand that we be “in the moment,” but let’s not forget that teenage years present just as many “in the moment” opportunities: the teenager needs to talk about that hard-fought battle he lost or that great new guy she’s met.
When I think of caring for an adult parent “in the moment,” I think of my friend Kathy Ann who schedules time in her week to spend time with her mother who lives 100 miles away. While their time together is scheduled, their agenda is very fluid and “in the moment.” Kathy Ann’s friends (of which I am privileged to be one) can hardly wait for Saturday evening to come to read her Facebook posts about her day with mom. Her posts are appealing because they are stories “in the moment.” Grandparents share special opportunities for living “in the moment” with grandchildren. I think of Art and Jean who have spent countless hours with legislators championing for rights of grandparents for this very opportunity.
FAMILY FITNESS – TOGETHER IN THE MOMENT
Are there “in the moment” fitness opportunities in our families? Yes! Here’s my laundry list:
Accountability – My husband helps golfers make changes and be their best. As a family we can do the same with each other. When making food choices, be there for your spouse “in the moment” to help him choose veggies over chips, or help her choose a brisk walk over crashing on the sofa after dinner.
Scheduling – Be flexible. Take advantage of that sunny afternoon when the kids come home with no homework to be “in the moment” as a family unit. Forgo the chores, put down the to-do list and go for a bike ride, time on the water or other outdoor activity you can easily do.
Celebrating – Why wait for the expected birthday celebrations? “In the moment” celebrations of good choices generate optimism, gratitude, generosity and even courage to continue making healthy decisions in life. It is one of the best ways to innovate the way you live. That celebration can be a fun physical activity/adventure, a special healthy meal, a related gift or a simple act.
Truth-Speaking – In a culture that tempts us to zone out, I call this “zoning in.” The moment of truth is the moment when we get rid of what distracts so that we can focus on that which clarifies. Family meal-planning (counting the calories before you consume them, not afterward), family prayer for the needs of the family and the needs of others, even family weigh-ins are ways to zone-in for better health “in the moment.”
Long-term commitment requires stamina. “In the moment” commitment requires trust. To fully commit “in the moment,” athletes must trust their training up to that point. To fully commit “in the moment,” families must trust their relationships with one another.
The next time you are “in the moment,” how will you keep frustration at bay? Take heart, my friends. With intentional preparation, in the moment, instead of throwing a fit, you can BE FIT.
QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY DEVOTIONS AND DISCUSSION
Describe an instance when you have been frustrated by something that happened in the moment. How did you react? How did you feel?
Do you trust your family’s fitness routine?
How well do you trust your own training? What weaknesses can you identify? Where do you doubt?
How have you budgeted or been prepared to be “in the moment”? Consider some ways you can better budget for these opportunities.
How can you be aware and be available in the gym, at school, in the workplace and with your family?
What positive “in the moment” experiences can you share?
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