“Tower this is Ghost Rider, requesting a flyby.” Tower responds, “Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.” Mav smiles… then Goose (his RIO, radar intercept officer… layman’s terms back seat pilot) exclaims, “No, no, Mav, this is not a good idea!” Mav responds, “Sorry Goose, but it’s time to buzz the tower.” We know this scene from the iconic movie, Top Gun.
Question: On this Hump Day, what is your tower? Need to request a flyby? In Top Gun there were repercussions for the disobedient flyby. And I’m in no way recommending disobeying authorities to experience a flyby situation. I am suggesting you look for ways to instill flyby-situations, in the mundane. And if you initiate them on Hump-Days and you may begin to look forward to Hump-Days. As they become mile-markers in life!
As humans, we have a way of wanting the traditional things like marriage and family. Only to obtain them and lose the bewilderment in it all. Don’t let that happen. Look for moments to see or breathe joy into your everyday tasks! Are you finishing-up your degree? Do so with gusto! Launching a new career? Learn as much as you can with a thankful heart. Getting out of debt? Don’t white-knuckle and bear it. With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God in prayer over every aspect of life. He will help you.
In marriage we get to tag team the everyday things of family-life by taking on areas in which each one excels. Marriage is being one entity; we are to help each other in life. One step, one plan, one event, one path leads to another. Then Snap! You’re moving on to other areas! This is the process… enjoy it! It is always in motion and you can’t get your time back.
Where are tensions the highest? Where do you have the least amount of fun? Is it in the mundane tasks of keeping the house running? Is it school schedules or extra-curricular activities? Then shake it up a bit. Be inventive. If you’re homeschooling… take it on the road. Study through videos for a week. the next week study through audio teachings. The next… through literature. Shake it up to find what works best for different kiddos. Have fun with it. Learn to love schooling and instilling the love of learning.
If keeping house is mundane then initiate deep cleaning or organizing one room. But don’t get sidetracked! If you’re anything like me it’ll be like the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. You’ll find many areas to tackle. When you get the urge to paint or renovate something, resist it. Write it down and come back to it. You will come back to it if you write it down. You could dedicate Hump-Day to narrow down large tasks in that room, that won’t take all day. It’s like that proverbial eating an elephant one bite at a time. You’ll look back and be amazed at what you accomplished one step at a time one Hump-Day at a time.
Be flexible in your scheduling of what to do when. And if you want to move to another item on your do-list, do so… this keeps you enjoying the process. Sometimes situations can push you to other unplanned things. Flow with it! When finished, mark it off your list. Before you know it, you’ll have tackled the entire (original) do list! Then spring cleaning/organizing won’t be so daunting. I say original because you’ll add to the do list as you progress. After all, you’re freeing up space to think of new ideas, wants and needs. So, keep a notepad handy and write down them all down and commit to pray about them as you move through your do-list.
This doesn’t sound like a flyby experience? When you commit to it in a new inventive way, it is. Why do you think Mary Poppins is so popular? She found new and inventive ways to enjoy the everyday moments of life! Add things you enjoy while tackling the do-list. Listen to Bible teachers that you love, audio books, radio, music, etc. whatever makes you feel good. This renews and regenerates me as I move about the mundane tasks. Don’t over think it. And don’t dread it. Just begin it. You’ll end up enjoying the process as you proceed. When it’s done, you’ll feel invigorated.
Incorporate small tasks for the kiddos to accomplish too! Remember Mary Poppins… add elements of fun to them! Teach them how to manage their own things but ensure victory by making it achievable. And celebrate those victories! Then let the kids have down time with things they enjoy while you continue with your tasks.
So, on this Hump-Day what’s your tower to buzz? What will be your flyby scenario that’ll enable you to enjoy the process of life? Give yourself permission… the pattern is not full… fly on by!!!
Remember, Friday is always a-comin’ but most importantly, Christ is coming back too!