You’ve had those days. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones that start out wrong and get worse.
The ones where you’re crabby for no reason and your answers are short and filled with impatience and there’s no good reason you’re just…
OVER IT.
Over the chaos.
Over the noise.
Over the laundry, the cooking, the endless carpooling and grocery shopping.
Over the day-in and day-out sameness.
Over it because the days stretch long and seem endless and your big dreams take a back seat to everyone else’s little needs.
How on earth do you find the joy, the divine in the midst of the drudgery, the gratitude in the daily grind? I’ve got five suggestions.
- There’s only one thing I’ve found to work and it’s this: cultivating a heart of thankfulness. Tis’ the season for Thanksgiving and this year let it be more than a season. Let it be a lifestyle. Let it become a habit as unconscious as breathing. Find at least three things each day you’re truly grateful for and thank God for putting them in your life.
- Know this, your life and challenges are not the same as mine. Not the same as your sister’s or best friend’s. Don’t compare! It’s a huge trap and will suck the life and every bit of motivation clean out of you. Plus, you don’t really know what they might be dealing with.
- Take five minutes to close your eyes and pray, even if it’s in the carpool line or while sorting a thousand socks. Re-direct your thoughts and focus back on the Lord. He knows you’re stressed. He even hears your impatient words and guess what? He loves you anyway!
- As you wipe noses, pick up toys, make breakfast and sign permission slips, do it as if you were doing it for Jesus. He’s the one we want to imitate. He’s the one we want to cultivate in our children and the best way to do it is to model Him in the small, non-essential moments of life. As you honor each moment, each task as sacred, you honor Him.
- Give yourself a break! You’re not perfect and it really is OK. Know He’s right there with you mama, and His arms are wrapped oh-so-tightly around you!
The season you’re in will change because the children will grow up. But this season, the one you’re looking at smack in the face, these are the years where you’re forming their foundation. You’re building something they will spend their entire lives building upon.
Did you know He loves to just sit in your messy kitchen and hang out with you? He does! Talk to Him as you fold the mountain of laundry. Share every inch of your life with Him. Did you know He is totally captivated by you, interested in the smallest details? I mean, who else in your life knows exactly how many hairs are on your head? No one else cares enough to count them but He does. Because He cares for you. And you know what else?
6 Comments
I really needed this for today!! Yesterday was sorta rough and I get so frustrated but I forget. Forget to praise Him in the storms, forget that these children will be big sooner than later and I will have missed out, forget that I am a child of the King of Kings and HE loves me unconditionally. Thank You for this word of encouragement today!
Jill, I am so glad you were encouraged! We all need to be reminded how much He cares for us, even in the midst of the day after day sameness. You are precious and priceless in his eyes sweet mama! Bless you:)
Thank you for your writing. I am recovering from postpartum depression and thanks be to God, off of medication. But it’s hard. And I’m worn. I have three littles and a full time job. I don’t feel like there is enough time in the day to be who I need to be. Thank you for the encouragement. And thank you God, for grace.
Oh Netty, somedays it’s just so hard to keep it all in perspective. But know He knows your situation and is with you every step of the way! Blessings and hugs to you!
Mrs. Kate, this is just beautiful!! I dont have any kids yet but if it be Gods will for me to find a Godly man and have kids someday I will. Im thankful I have a loving church that I can go to and spend time in the nursery with the beautiful kids! I love kids and always have. Everytime I have to work in the nursery I put Pandora on and play Mrs. Francesca’s music! They love music and will dance to it anywhere. Im thankful he is healing me so I can be able to make these memories. Two years ago I would not have been able to do the things im doing because I was always in and out of the hospital. Its a day to day struggle but I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.Im also thankful for a mother who has stuck by me through everything I have put her through the past 3 years. I would not have made it through treatment 2 years ago if it wasnt for her.
Oh Chelsea, thank you so much! Married or not we all have those days where everything seems to overwhelm and block out His presence from our lives. You are so precious to Him and I’m grateful He’s blessed you with a mom who has stuck by you. Blessings to you sweet Chelsea!