Tuesday, February 9, 2010

setting up pins

seems like much of my days are spent "setting up pins." it's the title of a sarah groves' song I so relate to right now. we each have our own "pins"...the things in our lives we set up only to have them torn down just as quickly. it's the baker whose baskets of bagels are so quickly consumed. it's the school janitor who cleans through the night only to see the return of footprints and fingerprints the next day. it's the old navy employee who folds and stacks the clothes only to see them in a heap on the next pass by. it's the things we do that are so quickly undone.

in my life, it's the mom who spends her days laundering, pressing, folding and storing away clean clothes, only to return to a room's overflowing hamper. it's a meal prepared that takes only fractions of time to disappear, leaving only dirty dishes to be washed. it's the pile of items that arrive in the mailbox needing attention, only to see new ones arrive the very next day.
the pins of my life are filling my cup, but how do I feel about the filling? do I find joy in serving the ones I love most, or do I quickly get caught up in the routine and monotony? listening to this song tonight allowed me to see my pins in a different light...as little gifts of love offered with a servant's heart. so I'll keep settin' up my pins and knockin' 'em down.

9 comments:

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

Well put. I feel the same way some days....Put the groceries in the cart, load them in the car, lug them in the house, put them on the shelves, and then listen when everyone says "there's nothing to eat." It's all worth it and I keep thinking that soon no one will be home to utter those words.

Tom said...

Perspective and priority .... How do we serve those we love? Loving through service no matter what the task, is truly all that the Saviour asks. Love ... Uncle Tom

stringsofpurls said...

Love this. Thanks, Kristyn.

At Home Mommy Knits said...

I love this. Thanks so much for sharing Kristyn. Just know that all of us moms out here are right there with you and all of our "pins" :).

stitching under oaks said...

i'm gonna have to hear that song...this is so right where I am right now too. put the snow boots and mittens on, take them off. clean up the kitchen, wipe up the floor....back at it again. they're precious pins though that we're setting up...thanks for sharing this girl!

Meg said...

That's what I'm doing! And the little ones come through the door at 3:20 and knock them all down.

Sometimes I get so bogged down in the labor that I forget to be grateful that I even have all these people to set up pins for!

Wonderful post, Kristyn!

larissa said...

Beautiful analogy. I feel the same way with all the cooking and cleaning and grocery shopping. and then i think how I'd probably never get around to cleaning the kitchen floor if milk wasn't spilled all the time. yes, that's right, my home is cleaner because my kiddos make a mess. and i'm so lucky to have those amazing little mess makers! Thanks for another great post Kristyn.

a friend to knit with said...

oh, i just watched the video on youtube.... so good, kristyn.
yep.... that is all i do all day long. sometimes i feel "checked out" as i do it... and i try to bring myself around so that i can appreciate it a little more....
xx

Jessica Lynn said...

Kristyn, what an awesome post! I completely relate to you! I just watched the video.I love the part in the lyrics when she says, "it can feel simple but it's really profound". So true. The hard part for me is learning to serve from a place of gratitude daily-- especially when the kid's are bickering and I'm worn out. I'm still constantly in the process of learning the lesson's in life. I love that you blog from such a genuine place.