When your a mom living in a house with 5 little souls, life can get hectic. It's hard enough to keep up with the laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, get em to practice, rehersals, check the homework, and the "I need to keep them alive, I better feed them, responsability. There's not much time left to connect with them on a heart level. Life was a flurry of activity and I was a mama running on all 6 cylinders.
I remember rocking my babies to sleep at night and how I made all the time in the world for that. I would hold them long after they fell asleep and breathe in their sweet scent from the top of their little head, and watch their heartbeating through their delicate little skin. I felt connected. I felt serinity. I felt immense love.
As my children got older bedtimes became the last thing to checkoff on my multi page to do list. there were baths, storytimes, tucking in and prayers to be said. I sprinted thru it like a seasoned professional. But I was longing for that deep connection and I felt like I was missing out..... on something.
So one night I decided to institute a new ritual. the High-Low ritual. After tucking them into bed, I would crawl up next to them and ask them what was the worst thing that happened to them today? (their low) They only got one answer. After all, I HAD 5 kids to get to sleep! This gave me a great glimpse into their heart and their world. Somehow talking about their low, took it's power away. Then I would ask them what was the best thing that happened today. (their high) As the kids got used to our new ritual, it became easier for them to recall specific moments in their day that caused them great sadness or great joy.
No matter how busy my day had been and what I had missed, the high- low ritual became a way for me to understand and feel connected to my child's innermost workings of their heart. It also gave me a chance to help them overcome their obstacles or fears, or simply reassure them that, not only does your mama care about you and your day, but God cares deeply for your hurts and your joys.
A few years back, I kept a journal for a year recording my highs and lows for the day. It became a great tool for me to use in my prayer life. It became natural to praise God for my highs, and ask for guidance and wisdom for my lows. Somehow in my busy life, this little act game me clarity and simplicity. It put things in order. It put things in perspective.
I just started this little practice again. When things get jumbled up in my mind I tend to focus on all the lows. When I first started again, I found myself at night with pen in hand, trying to recall a high. Writing the highs and lows down in my prayer journal has forced me to acknowledge all the good blessings that God is offering me each new day. I find myself throughout the day thinking, "Oh this is gonna be my high today" only to say it about something else later, because now, this is what I am focusing on.
Perhaps my children will one day remember the little game we played, and it will bring them clarity in an otherwise hectic life. Recounting the events of our day can connect us to our innermost self, our heart. It also keeps thankfulness and gratitude flowing through us as we see God's hand in our everyday life.