One cannot write about life if they, themselves, are not in life.

I have a large, beautiful desk, on top of which sits my old computer, a pencil sharpener, and some notebooks (give or take depending on the season). It sits by a window that allows me to look out into our field of red clover. Sometimes, I can spend hours there writing, and it doesn’t even feel like time has passed! Yet, some days my computer isn’t even turned on, and I don’t sit down to write. God has blessed me with a large, busy family, and I nearly always want to be part of what they’re doing. So, what are some of the things my family and I do together?

Play

I have seven siblings, six of them younger than myself. That’s six sisters and one brother, and we all live in the same house. Taking time to build forts, play farm, pretend bikes are horses, and cradle baby dolls with my littlest sisters is always a treat! They refresh my heart like you wouldn’t believe!

One of the things my brother and I love doing is throwing the football outside. It gets us moving and talking, mostly about sports and drones. (By the way, the best weather for playing football is when it’s cold enough to freeze your fingers, but nothing else!)

Psalm 133:1
Behold! How good and lovely when brothers (and sisters) dwell together as one.

Work

Yes, you read that right: work. My parents have guided our family to work together on even small projects consistently over the years. We’ve become a great team! From minor home repairs to erecting fences to painting and even building a chicken coop, we’ve learned the joy of working together. Of course, with this many hands, it truly can be light work for everyone!

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Sing

Daddy once said, “Alyson loves music so much that if she isn’t singing aloud, there’s a song playing in her head!” It’s true. Most of my favorite songs are hymns, like “In Christ Alone,” “Fairest Lord Jesus,” “Before the Throne of God Above,” “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us,” and “Be Thou My Vision.” Most of my sisters will join me in singing these songs. My sixteen-year-old sister and I love to harmonize with each other.

Even so, I enjoy several contemporary Christian artists like Tenth Avenue North, The Gray Havens, Josh Wilson, and the Gettys.

Ephesians 5:19-20
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God provided everything I need right where I am. He gave me this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious family to pull me away from the desk and enjoy the life God has given us to share so I can write about life. I enjoy writing, but I love God and my family! I know the only reason I can write is because of them!

If you also enjoy spending hours writing, my encouragement to you is to make time to be away from the desk. Not only so your writing will improve, but so that you won’t miss out on the wonderful relationships and experiences around you!