Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle
Encouragement and Inspiration for women choosing to rise above the “just survive” mentality and instead set their mind on thriving in all that they say and do. The ultimate goal is to equip you to pursue whatever is excellent in the midst of your ordinary life and in all that you say and do.
Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle
36: Kitchen Table Watercolors - When Work Meets Play
Remember that magical feeling when summer break begins? The promise of adventure, quality time, and freedom from schedules? I certainly did when my daughter finished kindergarten during our time in Japan. We started with pedicures and garden walks, but soon reality hit—I still had work to accomplish while wanting to be fully present with her.
This familiar parenting tension led me to discover something beautiful about balance. Rather than seeing work and play as opposing forces, I found they could coexist in harmony. When I invited my daughter to join me at the kitchen table—explaining how my work served others—she began creating watercolor paintings for friends while I typed emails. Side by side, we worked for an hour before taking breaks to play or share a snack. These parallel activities, punctuated by focused connection, created a rhythm that honored both responsibilities and relationships.
The biblical foundation for this balance comes from God's own example. Genesis shows us that God both worked diligently and rested intentionally. By blocking time for productivity and playfulness—and being transparent with our children about these rhythms—we teach them valuable life lessons. Summer provides unique opportunities to blend work and play through family projects or even involving older children as "summer interns" in appropriate ways. When the inevitable feelings of being unproductive or overwhelmed arise, we can lean into God's grace, remembering that His "power is made perfect in weakness." Perhaps the most important realization is that ten focused minutes of engagement with your child can go remarkably far for both of you. Whether in work mode or play mode, being fully present in that moment creates the meaningful connection we're all seeking.
What would change this summer if you viewed both work and play as opportunities to honor God with excellence? How might you invite your children into this sacred dance of summer rhythms?
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I remember this summer when my daughter was between kindergarten and first grade. We lived in Japan at the time and while her younger brothers were still in preschool, she was out of school for the summer and we were both so excited for all the free time and the quality time that we would get to spend together. We set up a pedicure for the first day of summer break and then we enjoyed some fun lunch dates and walks through the gorgeous Japanese gardens. But then eventually reality hit and as much as I would love to keep doing all of these fun adventures every day all summer long, the truth was I also had some other things I needed to get done, not to mention that it was getting a little bit expensive to have all these mini dates all the time. But there were household responsibilities and deadlines to reach clients, to email. I wanted to play all day with her, but I also needed to find a way to get some work done. But I also needed to find a way to get some work done. How can we create a balance of work and play while our children are home from school? At this point you might be thinking another episode on rhythms and routines in the summer. Yes, because it's something we all struggle with. If balance was easy to achieve, then there wouldn't be so many burnt out people. So, at the risk of repeating myself, let's unpack this just a little bit more.
Leanne:Whether you work from home or you are looking for a household routine that works even in the summer, then this episode is for you. First, god set the example for us when he established the rhythms of work and rest in the beginning, and I know I've shared this verse with you before. But Genesis 2.2 says by the seventh day, god had finished the work he had been doing, so on the seventh day he rested from all of his work. This verse demonstrates the importance of work and completing work with excellence, and leaning into rest as something holy and sacred, and leaning into rest as something holy and sacred. This point is then repeated in Exodus 20, verses 8 through 10, which says remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all of your work, but on the seventh day it is the Sabbath to the Lord, your God. Again, this verse, or these verses, are highlighting the biblical principles of balance.
Leanne:It is important to not overwork, but also refrain from neglecting responsibilities as well. So, with this biblical foundation in mind, how can we practically balance work and play in the summer? Start with intentionality and transparency. Be intentional with creating a flexible daily routine that allows for both productivity and playfulness. Specifically, block off time each day for work and time for play and then share this openly with your children. Share with your children how work is something we get to do. Work is how you help people, create things or serve others, just like God does. Then take a few minutes and think about how your work fits into the story of God and share those examples with your children. Getting them invested in the value of work is part of creating the balance you are looking for this summer. Then take it to the next step and include them in small tasks.
Leanne:Proverbs 22, six is a very popular verse, but it says start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it. Now, a lot of times this verse is related to discipline and that kind of thing, but let's apply this verse to work. Work is going to be a part of your child's life in one way or another. You can help them realize the value of hard work and diligence now by including them in your work, especially household chores and tasks. During that summer, when I realized that I needed to get some things done, even with my daughter present, I invited her to join me at the kitchen table and I explained to her how I was serving others with the work that I was doing, and I asked her to think about ways that she could serve and bless others too. Well, this led to her painting watercolor pictures at the table to give to her friends or send to her friends. She painted and then I typed out emails. Side by side, we worked for an hour or so and then we took a break to go play, go for a walk or share a snack together. By showing her how work and play can coexist, we found a rhythm, and it included Sabbath moments all throughout the week, moments to connect and recharge and moments to persevere and work hard.
Leanne:It is also important to recognize that summer is a unique time. No matter what your work may look like, it is naturally different in rhythm and flow, and it's okay to slow down and savor the moments with your children. Psalms 90, 12 says teach us to remember our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Summer is just one season and it is okay to step back from work projects or perhaps take fewer clients on during this season, knowing that you can pick them back up again in a couple of months. Summer is also a great time to blend work and play in the form of family projects around the house or service opportunities. Perhaps you are a photographer and you can ask your kids to help you scout out great locations or venues for photo shoots. Or maybe, with a little bit of training, your kids can help you prep mail orders to send to clients. Or, if it makes sense, maybe you could give your teens some extra money by hiring him or her as a summer intern or assistant.
Leanne:I think it is important to remember that it is normal to struggle a little bit with feeling unproductive and overwhelmed in the summer, especially if you are juggling work and responsibilities and the desire to be present and intentional with your family. This struggle forces you to lean on God and His grace. 2 Corinthians 12.9 says. But he said to me, this verse reminds us to rely on God and not on our own strength. Perhaps you simply need to reframe play as productive, because it builds relationships and refreshes your soul.
Leanne:Never underestimate the power of 10 focused minutes of engagement with your child. That time and attention can go a long way for both of you, whether you are working or playing. Be all in for that moment, stay focused and present and include your children as often as you can Be sure that they know when it is a work block and when it is a play block during the day, and pray for wisdom and patience to see both work and play as opportunities to honor and serve God With excellence. Of course. To close this short and sweet episode, I want to leave you with a verse to meditate on throughout this week. The truth in this verse is that God renews our strength, enabling us to run the race well even through busy, joy-filled summer days. Isaiah 40, 31. Something to ponder this week how can I model to my children this summer that both work and play can be done with a heart that honors God?