Life is full of decisions—both big and small. Daily we make choices–some reap blessings, others bring messes. The hard part comes in not knowing the outcome.

It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are. – Roy Disney

It sounds simple but can we identify our values on any given topic? Do we know where we stand and why? To know where we’re heading begins with knowing where we want to be.

With a daughter in high school, the topic of choices is a frequent discussion around our house. Colleges. Classes. Careers. Volunteer time. GPA. Time management. Knowledge. We talk about her passions and what she wants to do for a career, and then work backwards. What does she need to do to pursue this particular goal? What choices need to be made today to ensure that goal is reached?

Choices as a parent aren’t any different. We need to assess what is important to our family and determine what we want to instill in our children and then work backwards. We discover what we need to do to pursue a goal and decide what choices to make today to ensure that goal is reached.

Just remember, whatever the situation or whatever the goal, our choices today make up our future.

A few weeks ago, my stomach was topsy-turvy as I paced the floor nervously waiting to leave the house. What will it be like? How will it be set up? One would have thought I was getting ready to step on stage in front of millions of people. No–just getting ready to head to my first painting class.

I’ve always wanted to learn how to paint, but never did anything to pursue it. I dabbled in painting pottery at a studio, but found I got bogged down in details and spent half the time just contemplating, not knowing where to begin with my ideas.

Finally last month, I took the plunge and signed myself up for a painting class. The day arrived for the first class and I couldn’t believe my nerves as I felt like a child on their first day of kindergarten not knowing what to expect.

I survived the first class and actually had a blast! Each week I go with more confidence and a little more understanding that painting has little to do with details and more to do with values, shapes, and impressionistic viewpoints. For one who is detailed-oriented and a concrete thinker, painting stretches me. That is exactly what I wanted.

As we get older and parenting duties consume our focus, we think less and less of interests we want to pursue or we find it’s been a long time since we’ve stretched ourselves to try something new. It’s easy to get into a routine and just remain status quo. But there is so much more to life to explore than just keeping it … safe.

I didn’t know if I would be a horrible painter or not, but I didn’t care – I just wanted to try. In just a short time of painting, my eyes have already been opened to new perspectives. Angles. Composition. Depth. They are not found in the status quo.

What is it you’ve always wanted to learn? Sign yourself up and go for it!

While on the treadmill this morning, I listened to my new playlist I downloaded from my daughter’s music. Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, Do Everything, started and I grunted my agreement with the lyrics:

You’re picking up toys on the living room floor
for the 15th time today
Matching up socks and sweeping up lost
Cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips
and head out the door
And while I may not know you I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes does it matter at all

As a mom, there are times where we all wonder if what we do as a mom is insignificant. Let’s face it — when was the last time you heard of a prize given out for laundry folding? Do you see cashiers at the grocery store giving you a thumbs-up or cheering you on for going grocery shopping? And what real lasting value does sweeping have anyway (apart from wear and tear on the floors)?

Compared to the completion of a large project at my husband’s work or a successful day teaching homeschooling, it’s easy to feel like the mundane things I do every day are hardly worth mentioning. Yet, that is far from the truth.

Not only are we to reflect God’s glory in everything we do, we never know what little thing will have a monumental impact. Good, bad, or otherwise, our children watch what we do and see our attitude in doing it. That’s enough to make us think twice, right?

So, no matter what we’re doing – it matters!