Do you ever find yourself just doing what you have to do and never doing what you want to do? This morning is one of those times. I have much work to do, a chapter to work on, a meeting to attend later today, a house to clean, research to work through, laundry to hang up … the list just goes on.

But something pulls me away from my list. I look out the window and see snow gently blanketing the ground and all I can think of is sitting by a fire, sipping my coffee, and reading a good book. Instead I fight the urge to sip my coffee while typing, sitting on my hands to warm them, or break away for moments to gaze out my window.

If all I did was what I have to do, and never anything that flows out of my passion or just plain having fun, I’d resemble a ball of yarn after a cat had it’s playful time with me — a big wad of mess. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve discovered there is more to life than just accomplishing the next task on the To-Do List or maintaining an immaculately clean house (well, I never was good at that one anyway).

Running ragged 24/7 isn’t truly productive, healthy, and certainly isn’t fun. We may think we accomplish much, but are we accomplishing what God intends for us or just what we think we need to do? Each of us has a purpose on this earth. Our children do as well. Do we know what that is?

Do we take time to just sit with our kids to talk? Not about what they should be doing, could be doing, or enlightening them on their most recent behavior problem, just talking and being available. Do we know what their struggles are? Can we listen without giving them all the answers, but just be a sounding board? Do we hear or see patterns in them alluding to their passions? Do we see leadership qualities in their infancy waiting to unleash their potential to their world around them?

I’ve encouraged my daughter to not grow up too fast, but to enjoy each day of life as it comes. But what do I show her by my example? Does she get the picture that being an adult is boring, unimaginative, task-filled, and lacking pizzazz?

I’m taking time this morning to watch the snow fall, nurture my passions and allow them to spill out onto the page. I’ll do my work … in a little bit.

Life’s demands will crowd our days if we let them. Our passions and desires can be just a fleeting thought or a memory in the making.

As I sit in my little sanctuary of an office this morning, the word that comes to mind is peace. Out my window, snow gently falls blanketing the ground. My Piano Christmas plays quietly in the background. My Sumatra coffee warms my hands and taste buds.

I love mornings where fresh snow is falling. It’s a morning where life slows down a bit. Drivers can’t barrel down the roads. School buses are late, so rushing isn’t necessary. The urgency to run errands is replaced by thoughts of a nice toasty fire and a cup of hot cocoa.

Tranquility.

Outside dainty heaps pile atop Christmas lights and pine needles. Frailty. Tiny snowflakes find their designed homes. Destiny. Scraggly branches thicken with a white puffy layer. Comfort.

Softly the pianist glides its fingers across the keys …

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees. Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was born …

I wonder if it snowed that night. A baby born in a stable-such frailty. But it was perfect-destiny. Hope felt from the birth of a Savior-comfort.

Whether it’s snowing where you live or not, take time today … just be.