Perpetual Motion

When I was in junior high (that's what they called it in the ol' days before it was middle school), I had science with Mr. DJ. He was an older man who we loved dearly, mostly because he tried hard to make it a fun class, even though he often was made fun of for his chalked front pant pockets (from writing on a blackboard...remember those?).

The most memorable class for me came when he pulled out an old bike tire with handles on either side of the center of the spokes. He set out one of those tall stools that spins. He asked for a volunteer, and then proceeded to ask the young man (you knew it had to be a guy) to hold the wheel out in front of himself and not keep his feet on the foot rest. Mr. DJ gave that wheel a good spin and asked the boy to tilt it slightly one way. He did. And proceeded to move in the opposite direction that he had tilted the wheel. Mr. DJ asked the boy to tilt it the other way. Slowly, the boy stopped moving in his current direction and soon he was spinning around in the other direction. The whole thing was fascinating to watch, especially because the boy's face began to show the wear of suspending a spinning wheel in the air. What the scientific force Mr. DJ was trying to teach us is actually not part of my memory. (if you're out there, sir, maybe a refresher course?)

This is the picture that came into my head today as I vacuumed the kitchen floor. (oddly, my most interesting blog ideas come while I'm vacuuming.)

I am the poor young man (minus the pimples and oddly proportioned body...whoops, maybe that last one). My days are continually in motion. I am continually in motion. Many days feel as if I am trying to go one way, and an uncontrollable force is pushing me another way. Although I do make a conscience effort to stop my own motion and spend quality time with my kiddos, we're still moving. (oh yeah, we have preschoolers and toddlers) As I muddled through these thoughts and the crumbs on the kitchen floor, I realized...I actually am ok with the motion. I worked through my recent days and thought...in the midst of the busyness, there has been many wonderful moments shared with each of my kids, the Hubs and even a few nice moments to myself.

This is life now. Busy, with a healthy side of blessings. The moments of quiet times with myself and the Hubs will come someday. To wish these days away would show an ungrateful spirit to the Lord who gives them to us.


So, bring on the spin. Bring on the motion. I may falter in my ability to hold up the wheel, but that is what faith, friends and family are for.

(Miss you all, dear friends that I haven't spoken to in a while!)