In LearnForward, we use this made-up word to describe the journey when all things harmonize and a child is able to step outside of themselves and serve the greater good: changemaking.  I don’t even want to hyphenate the word because it comes from the place of ‘flow.’

I don’t know about you, but at this time of the year, I’m wondering how to get through each day, moment-by-moment. I’m not too sure about ‘flow.’  There are big-bold dynamics, created by big-bold expectations, and often I’m trying to resist the temptation to fly into a full spin!

I really want to be a changemaker, but I’m not sure how to fit it in at this time of year, because honestly, the star doesn’t even work!

You know, the star…at the top of the tree.  My little one declared this morning again, “O no Mom!  The star!  It isn’t shining!”

With all of our good intentions to be the light and change the world…our star isn’t shining!

Have you ever held the beauty and the ashes, one in each hand?  Have you ever felt on one hand, “I got this!” and on the other hand, “I’ve got no idea what I’m doing?!”  Have you lived in the tension?

I want to model changemaking…

I want my children to be changemakers…

And, the star doesn’t work!

Here are three things we chose today to help us re-focus:

1.  We sit down.  This morning we had a breakfast with the children.  The Builder and I grabbed our coffee, delayed the blog and connected.  We take time to nap, prioritize church, and read our advent reading together.  We talk lots.  He calls it “getting on the same page.”  I like it.

2.  We let it go.  The house still isn’t tidy from the tornado that was decorating.  The children still aren’t perfectly coiffed. We aren’t getting everything done and attending all of the events we hoped to today.  We just smile at each other and say, “We’re doin’ good.”  While our grammar and spelling clearly need to go back to school, our hearts feel encouraged by our little mantra.

3.  We model what we hope.  We continually ask ourselves, “How can we express love to those around us?”  We reach out.  We receive too!  We are grateful.   

Over the course of this week, there were clear times when we were able to see change in our own hearts and in the hearts of our children.  We pointed out the little miracles.  We celebrated them quietly over our table.  

Change happens as we go about our days…in our hearts.  

Changemakers are born in the ordinary; that’s what makes it extraordinary.

If you’re hoping to see your children as changemakers, take heart!  We can set that intention for this season and experience it in the ordinariness, despite the fact that sometimes the star doesn’t shine!

How can you see your own heart changing, softening, reaching, growing?  How can we cultivate goodness in our children’s character?  This week, look for the little ways in which change is happening…remember that’s the ‘flow.’

Blessings,

Karine