Our family is currently in-between houses, in-between houses. We were staying at my parent’s house last week, we’re in rental house around the corner this week, going on vacation next week (YAY!), then we’ll be back to my parent’s house for a few days before moving into our forever home at the end of the month. Every single part of it has been a such a gift to us in it’s own way. At the same time, it’s quite the effort to keep moving around from one arrangement to another.
My head is spinning a bit, trying to keep up with it all.
But I’ve noticed that this in-between place has so many of it’s own little gifts. This home belongs to a family who boards dogs on the regular. They allow them full reign, to run, play and SWIM! So of course, Oaks has resolved that he will teach Hartley, our very skittish rescue dog, to swim while we’re here. He has literally spent hours on end, patiently working to lure her into the water. But as soon as he gets her whole body in, she paddles immediately to the side, jumps out, and runs full-speed for the door. He’s disappointed each time.
But he’s not giving up.
He knows he’s just in the in-between. She’s going to get there. He’s absolutely convinced it’s going to happen. So he gives her breaks in peace, no pressure. Then he tries again the next day.
He’s at peace with the in-between.
I’ve been thinking about that a lot. It’s in such stark contrast to what I’ve been feeling. I’ve been in this place of go-go-go, pushing, pushing to get to the next thing, the next house, the next event, the next place. I’ve been making things happen 24/7, sweating bullets to make sure I do everything I can to make sure it all works out in the end. But watching Oaks out there has been a beautiful reminder that life isn’t usually about the end.
It’s about what happens the in-between.
In his book, “The In-Between”, Jeff Goins says, “We’re an “instant gratification” generation—but most change happens gradually. Many of us spend our lives searching and longing for something more than what is in front of us. Learning to to live in the tension of what lies in between the “major” moments. To be content in these moments of waiting, may be our greatest struggle—and our greatest opportunity to grow. . .The antidote to restlessness is a deep abiding in where you are right now.”
A deep abiding in where you are right now.
That’s the kind of friendly punch in the gut I need about now. My life is good. I’m blessed beyond all measure. Sure, it’s chaotic and stressful, and there’s so much hanging in the balance. There is also so much good, so much beauty, and so much love, right here, in the in-between. If only I will look for it. If only I will trust it. So today, even in the middle of all the in-betweens, I’m setting my sights on contentment. I’m going to “simply be”, right here in the waiting, embracing the tension.
There’s freedom in the in-between.
What about you? Are you in an in-between?
Your greatest struggle may be your greatest opportunity to grow. Embrace the tension. Look for the beauty.
Be where you are right now.
to more love,
Crystal
P.S. You can bet, we’ll be talking about this kind of freedom in the in-between at the “Freedom Keys GNO” on Thursday night. Don’t miss it.
