The school work is not done. The baby is crying. A diaper needs changed. You don’t know what’s for dinner and it’s almost 5p.m. The phone rings. All you really want to do is sit down on the couch and do NOTHING. It’s a typical day in your life, right?
Some days are like that. Realistically, some days aren’t. They are the rare occasions when we are totally on top of it, planned ahead, went to the grocery a week in advance. But the baby still cries and messes up her diaper. Milk spills still happen. How are we to enjoy the rat race of life? Perspective is (almost) everything. Here are a few gentle reminders to get you through the everyday as well as the added pressures of the impending holidays…
Perspective for this Season of Life: 3 Things to Remember
1. The baby (and big kid) is a blessing. Every time your little ones cry or want to sit in your lap or play, it’s an excuse to stop everything else! Even if just for a moment, they are giving you an excuse to rest. Sure, you have to get dinner cooked–but not for 5 more minutes.
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 NLT
Babies are adorable, but the truth is, I’m not much on sitting around and holding them for extended periods of time. My son was a toddler when he came to us. When I became pregnant with my first daughter, I wasn’t super psyched about having a baby to just sit around and hold all the time. I wanted to be doing something. By the time my second daughter came around, I was more than excited to have an excuse to sit down with her. I needed the rest!
2. You don’t have to do everything…and you don’t have to do everything before the kids wake up. In my perfect world, I would wake up around 6a.m after a full 8 hours of sleep. Then I would do my Bible study, exercise, blog, and have dinner in the crockpot–all by 7a.m! Impossible, you say? Why yes, it is! I am still working through this myself, but the truth is…my kids need exercise too. We could go on a nature walk together. They need to learn to cook, so they could help throw the food in the crockpot together. They also need to be doing Bible study. They could do some of their individual work while I blog, though it’s not ideal. This is life. Instead of trying to figure out how to work around my kids, I need to figure out how to work with them. This is going to better prepare them for life as well.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NIV
3. You will have bad days, but God will help you through them!
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
Just because you have a bad day, that doesn’t change God’s truth. God chose you and has equipped you for whatever you need to handle. If you pray for wisdom and understanding in this season of life, God will freely give it! (See Ephesians 1:3-14). Hopefully you will let God help you actually enjoy the journey. It’s not all about the destination. The goal of life isn’t just getting to the end, but embracing it and making the most of it while we are here.
What helps you keep life in perspective?
This post is part of…
*You can also find this post on Monday’s Musings.
photo credit: Nerdy girl via photopin (license)
Trying not to do everything is soooooooo hard! Just when I think I have mastered it, I turn around and I am trying to do everthing again.
You know I am right there with you!
I love this post! It’s a good reminder for us mommies that it’s all worth it! Some days I do get discouraged when I’m JUST raising a kid at home…haha! Doesn’t sound like much but it IS so much! Thanks for linking up to our Weekend Wind Down Link Party! JUst wanted you to know that we’re featuring you this coming Friday at the party! Other mothers need this encouragement! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful night!
Danielle recently posted…Weekend Wind Down Link Party #93
Yay! Thank you so much. This post is just as much a reminder for me as anyone else! I really appreciate all the work you put into the Link Parties. Hope your November is off to a great start!
It’s all in how you look at it, right? Great post! I think we all need to be reminded that even when things are rough, blessing can be found.
I don’t have kids, but even on my own, it’s so hard not to think I have to get everything done before work or before I go to bed. Just last night I was running around doing laundry, homework, cleaning and blogging all because didn’t think I could sleep before I got it done. Same madness this morning before I went out the door for work. I ignore my friends and roommates because I tell myself I have so much to get done, but working on it every day!
I have been talking to friends lately about praying that God will show us the most important ways He wants us to spend our time. We can’t possibly do everything the world tells us we need to do, but if we focus on God’s goals, He has given us the time we need.
Yes – yes – great reminders for the overwhelmed mothers with babies and small children…. or those running kids back and forth to school and the soccer field! I’ve been there and done that… and may I also add – make sure to have a little break and be able to breathe and have some quality “me” time… a simple break to go grab lunch with a friend or a quick movie can be so refreshing!
Clare Speer recently posted…Coffee With Clare