Sometimes it just seems like life is a rat-race. I hate to use that cliche, but it just IS what it IS! I am one of those ALL-IN kind of girls! If I am IN on something, I like to go all the way with it. Sometimes, I like to take on a little more than I should and I am working on that. Learning to say "no" hasn't been easy for me.....How about you? Maybe it's teaching a class at church, organizing an event or fundraiser, possibly planning parties, or maybe its just trying to squeeze in all the ballgames, dentist appointments, haircuts, and family dinners that you can possibly juggle into your weeks worth of family responsibilities. NO matter how big or small the task, they all stack up. Each one pulling me, and my family, in a million directions. They all matter in some way, right? I hope so, or else why would we even bother? Whether you are a multi-tasking single mom, a stay-at-home-mother of four, or a working mom of two, we all desire to be the BEST mom we can be EVERYDAY. Sometimes that is complicated, because life is hard, but I think SIMPLIFICATION would help!
Just this week I was reminded how important the small things really can be for our families. Instead of going out for Valentine's Day, for several reasons, I thought it would be fun to make a big meal for my family and dine in! We used our used our wedding China, had candles, and homemade desserts. My children were so sweet when they said, "Dad, come in the dining room and see what Mom did for us!" My heart swelled with joy. That was my goal, to show them an out pour of my love for them. I have decided that they have to KNOW without a doubt that they are SPECIAL to me. In order to ensure that I do that, they have to SEE my love displayed in ways that touch their minds and hearts. Sounds simple enough, right? Even Lydia, who has been struggling to learn to eat solid foods, enjoyed TWO servings of my lasagna and peas! Little tears snuck out of the corner of my eyes to watch her enjoying her dinner in our dining room! My four year finished the dinner with a plea of "Mom, can we do this again next year?"
I believe sometimes I am so busy that I am missing God's best for my life. Scaling back is getting easier but it is a daily surrender of my time. I have so many friends with similar scheduling dilemmas, and we can all say LIFE IS BUSY. It doesn't have to be chaotic, though. It seems as if just getting the laundry clean and put away is enough some weeks to push me right over the edge of motherly sanity! As if that were even something to stress out about. Ha! I don't believe that is God's plan for us. If we will give Him all the we have, HE will make it enough. If all we have is 20 minutes to spend in His word, or in prayer, maybe that is where we should start. I have been praying for His continued presence in my daily time with Him. Yesterday as I was rushing around He reminded me that He wants me to be faithful to His word and to commit myself to Him in prayer. The story in Matthew 14 about Christ feeding the 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish came to mind. As I read about that miracle again today, I am amazed at how the disciples just wanted to send the people away...Hurriedly....They didn't even think to ask our Lord to meet their needs. What a word for me. I just needed a good reminder of how simple it can be when we keep our eyes on Him. I pray He gives you peace this weekend and simplicity in your day today. I encourage you, and myself, to give Him what YOU HAVE and let Him do the rest!
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