Book Report: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

I think a lot about sabbath and I've read a few books on the topic. They've given me some ideas for a structure. The most important guiding principal is we don't have any plan or times we need to be anywhere (other than church). Also, Saturday is a day of preparation. I make a meal plan, wash laundry, and leave the house more or less organized so we can just lay around on Sunday. Crosby helps with the chores, practices the piano, and finishes any homework for the coming week. Ideally PB^2 would also look at the week ahead so we don't do that on Sunday night. Most weeks we forget a couple of these preparations but sabbath is a work in progress. 

The tricky thing is there is no sabbath from PB^2's hardest job: parenting. We still have kids wake us up while it is still dark out (which is to say before 7:52 in the winter). Carmen is not entertained by screens unless she is sitting on my or Paul's lap providing live commentary. Also, illness doesn't take a sabbath. We've had sick kids on and off for the last three weeks. I was planning on doing a little mini-Kur while kids are at Kita and Paul is on a business trip for two days to London. But alas, Carmen and Hugo are at home coughing up their lungs.

But, because the kids were coughing up their lungs, Paul suggested that I go to church solo to hear a friend preach. It was lovely to worship and actually listen without distractions. Also, while on public transportation I made more progress on perhaps my most favorite of Donald Miller's books. 

A million Miles in a Thousand Years has all the common themes I like about his other books. But it is especially a lovely message for someone who feels like she is "in the long boring middle". Don't get me wrong, my life is not boring. But, we are in a phase with kids where we don't have a good vision of when the hard stuff will, if ever, end. This book is a reminder in a real and positive way that these phases of trudging are worthwhile. 

Worthwhile: Risking sickness for snuggles.

Worthwhile: eating most meals with at least one child on your lap.

Worthwhile: Eating Thanksgiving dinner next to a toddler on the potty. (This was actually from another meal enjoyed next to the potty. Lots of this happening lately. Photo credit: Shanni)

Worthwhile: Trial rides with your eight-year old to show him how to take the eight tram stops by himself to school. This one is obviously a win for all parties involved.