Soul Restoration {CELEBRATE This Week: 133}

 

I'm glad you are here to celebrate! Share a link to your blog post below and/or use #celebratelu to share celebrations on Twitter. Check out the details here. Celebrate This Week goes live on Friday night around 10(ish). Consider it as a weekend celebration. Whenever it fits in your life, add your link. Please leave a little comment love for the person who links before you.

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If you follow me on Instagram, you saw this picture earlier in the week. It was accompanied by the following conversation.

Mom: What's the book club assignment?
Sam: Everyone brings their own book.
Mom: The we decide as a group?
Sam: No. Then everyone reads their own books all snuggled under a blanket. Then the last few minutes we share...and eat cookies. You bring the cookies.
Mom: Then we swap books?
Sam: I don't think you understand. Book club is for people who like reading. We don't need to tell each other what to read. We all have piles of books. It's just time to read together and talk about your book. Get it?
Mom: Got it.
Same: Good. I would hate to make someone not want to read because they have to read something they didn't pick. There's enough of that in school.

(Sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.)

Sam decided Tuesday evening was book club. I had so much to do. "I'm not sure right now is a good time," I said.

"You signed up," he replied. "Get your book and meet me on the couch."

I sighed and looked at the sink full of soapy bubbles. One popped and another and another. It seemed frivolous to read in the early evening. I had so much to do.

"Mom! Are you coming? It's starting!"

I squeezed the dish rag and clenched my teeth. There's no reason to stress, I repeated the words in my mind, hoping I can believe them. I stretch out on the couch and Sam brings me a quilt. "Scoot over," he says.

I can't believe we still fit on the couch. He opens his book and begins reading. I'm enamored by him. He gave up video games for book club tonight. I almost forget that that I have so much to do.

"You need to read too, Mom," he said, giving me a sideways smile.

I kiss the top of his head and open my book. I turn pages and breathe in and out and tension leaves my muscles. I didn't know I was tense.

This simple action feels like a luxury. I am reading next to my son and it feels like he's just given me an extravagant gift.

Self-restoration doesn't have to be complicated. We simply say YES! in the middle of too much to do.

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An InLinkz Link-up

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Guys! I can't believe how quickly so many of you volunteered to help me out with my new ebook. I'm so excited about this project! It is become infinitely better because of your help. My email pals will get the ebook before anyone else, so if you haven't signed up for my newsletter, right now is a good time! The ebook will be ready next week.

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This Sunday at 8:00 EST, Christy Rush-Levine and I will host the Teach and Celebrate Writers chat. I hope you will join us. Please note: lurking is acceptable. I'd encourage you to say hello at the beginning of the chat, but then feel free to just lurk. I'm always so blessed by #TandCwriters; I know you will be too.