Tested Resolve

Why is it that when I decide to do/change something that my decision is challenged the very next day/hour/minute?

I have been singing the fruit of the Spirit to my girls recently. I want them to grow up knowing Biblical principles and at their young ages songs are a fantastic method. They both enjoy music and I enjoy singing to them.

In doing this, I have been challenged in my own behaviors/actions. Stop and think about it:

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit."

Galatians 5:22-23a, 25

I know that I need more of all of these characteristics in my life. Add to this coming across:

"Be completely humble and gentle;

be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2-3

So, I decided that I need to work on gentleness (first). I don't want my children to grow up with even perceived hostility. I want to use a softer tone, I do not want to simply yell from across the room/house because I don't feel like getting up and walking to them. I want them to know that they are valued enough to be talked to in a normal tone. I want to show them what it means to be gentle and to have a gentle spirit. That being said, I am still learning what that means and looks like in my daily life.

I decided this one evening after my girls were in bed. THE VERY NEXT MORNING my resolve was tested. They woke up fighting and arguing and just being ... well ... in hindsight - kids. But, I tell you - that was a very hard time to stick to my guns. I am proud to say that I did manage to not just say "maybe I'll start tomorrow" and give up (I did think it several times). You know what happened over the course of the morning? They calmed down. They stopped yelling/screaming and eventually played very nicely. I don't expect that to work so well every time, but what a great encouragement!

Busy?

I had a great time visiting with a good friend yesterday. Our conversation raised a thought provoking question: Why is how busy you are so often equated to how you're doing?

How I am doing (feeling) should not be measured in respect to the fullness of my calendar. That being said, my response to her was something more along the lines of "we've been really busy, but we're doing pretty well.". I had not thought about how often I view my sense of well being to my calendar. You see, I very much dislike being busy. I would MUCH rather look at a blank calendar than one filled with something happening each day ... I like down-time, I like to be low-key.

I think that the world around us has done us a great disservice. We constantly feel that we must be doing something or going somewhere. Staying home and spending time with my family is just not good enough. I don't want my girls to grow up with that mindset, which naturally means I need to change my own.

So, the next time someone asks "How are you doing?" take the time to really think about your answer, are you really that tied to your calendar for your emotional well being?

Investments

About an hour ago this was a post in my head about how recipes are for sharing. As I made my cinnamon rolls, I realized that my this wasn't really about the recipes, rather the people they came from...

We choose to invest in things a million times a day. We invest in our homes, our children, our spouses. We invest in our friends, in the internet, in naps. We make literally thousands of choices each day, determining what is most important in that minute. For example, right now I am investing in this blog post instead of my dishes (I may regret that in an hour or so).

I have been blessed to have many, many people who have invested SO MUCH into my life. Many of whom will never read this. Without their emotional, time, and personal investment into my life I doubt I would be who I am today. Some of them may not even realize just how influential they have been. THAT makes me stop and think. How am I investing in the lives of others? Am I choosing to be intentional in my investments? Am I investing in the right things? Am I seeking council from those that I look up to? Do I allow others to walk by my side? Am I setting a good example for my children? So many other questions could fill these lines, but they all come down to the decisions that I make each day and one final question.

Where do I lay my priorities?

I would love to say that I make the right choice every time. That I never choose facebook over reading a story to my girls; that I think each choice that I make through and am confident that I am doing the right thing. However, that is not the case. Instead, I do the best I can and ask forgiveness over and over and over again. Then pray that I can learn from my shortcomings to be a better wife, mom and woman.

Way to go moms!

There's a quote on the wall at our Children's Museum:

"The Marines have it wrong,

this is the toughest job you'll ever love."

As a mom, I have to agree. While I would never want to be a Marine, and I am NOT saying that I could do their job. However, being a mom is a very difficult and often overlooked job.

Mothers are all around us. They have many different faces, many different ways of life and many different careers. While I am blessed enough to get to stay home with my girls, most of my mommy friends also have to bring in additional income.

Being a mom is all encompassing, it's a part of everything we do. No part of my day is exempt from this job. I work on a 24 hour schedule, 7 days a week ... and you know what? I wouldn't give that up for ANYTHING!