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Not a Red Letter Week

There are some weeks in life that no parenting book can prepare you for. Last week was one of them. I'm sure you know the kind of week I'm talking about. More on your list of things to do than you could possibly get done + a natural disaster  (baseball-sized hail, anyone?) with the phone calls and insurance adjusters to chat with, and there seems to be no sign of daylight.

On top of the daily mommy craziness, our children decided to add their own flavor of drama. You know what I mean... the one's who seemed to have gotten better at getting along, somehow managed to have forgotten how, coinciding with the baby showing new signs of...ummm...independence...all making for more noise and "teachable moments" than this mama had energy for. Add to that a speeding ticket (haven't gotten one in YEARS!), my 3 year old's birthday party to plan, a speaking engagement to prepare for and a a toddler throwing up Saturday morning (as we were on the way to a birthday party) and hours before leaving for an out-of-town graduation party, and I was ready to hit I-40 and keep on going!

Finally, date night! I had been looking forward to it all week! My sweet hubby took me out for sushi and the most wonderful cupcakes in OKC, but somewhere between edamame and Rock N' Roll sushi rolls things went a little south. Translation: a major marital misunderstanding. Talk about a real mood killer. We were forced to spend the remainder of our date night trying to salvage our miscommunication (and might I mention we were teaching from the book of Proverbs on the power of our words the next morning). Ugh, never fails. No matter what we teach on, God always allows us to experience fresh personal examples. *Sigh*

It seemed that one part of of life snow-balled into the next until pretty much every part of my world was a little off kilter. (Did I mention my house needs a good deep-cleaning?)  When life is spinning out of control, I should know by now, if not dealt with there will be negative consequences in every other area...like dominoes tipping over. The problem is, sometimes we just keep going on- full speed ahead because our schedule is too full to stop and address the needs. And who's needs go unmet most? Usually Mom!  

So, what's a girl to do after  a week like the last week? Well, I can start by listening to my own teaching and practice the principles that I will be teaching a group of moms next week. {Every. Time. God "allows" me to have fresh personal examples when I teach. Thanks, God!} ; )
  • I talk to Jesus. He can handle all of my frustrations AND He can actually fill me up with His life-giving power. Scripture promises that He has poured His kind of incredible love into our hearts. ("Hope does not disappoint us because God has poured His love into our hearts by His Holy Spirit He has given to us." Romans 5:5) I ask God for a fresh wave of His kind of love so I can pour it out to my kids and my husband. No one else can fill my heart up this way, and if I'm expecting them to, I will be disappointed and they will be frustrated. 
  • I renew my mind. It's easy to begin griping about anything and everything when a week hasn't gone my way, but this is dangerous. It's a proven fact that how we think, determines our actions. When my mind is full of negative, my actions and attitude are negative.But when I remind myself of all the good that is right in the midst of some wrong, my heart is lifted along with my mood.  "Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or worthy of praise thing about these things...and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9)
  • I remember who I am. Sometimes motherhood strangles the other parts of your person. You are not just a mother. You are a wife, daughter, friend, child of God- and so much more! Do you like to paint? Bake? Run? Decorate? Shop? Yoga? Journal? Whatever your thing is, carve out a little bit of time to be you. Put it on the calendar and leave the kids with your hubby. Ask a friend if she will trade childcare with you. This is crucial. God did not intend for the precious person He crafted when He made you to go into hiding for 18+ years. He made your personality, gifts, talents and interests and wants you to enjoy them. It energizes me when I'm able to slip away for a run, mindlessly walk around Target, chat with a friend over coffee or read a book. This is not selfish. When we enjoy the way God created us, we live the life He intended us to live, with the gifts He intentionally gave us. And we return refreshed and refueled, a better version of ourselves.
  • I rest. Sometimes the most spiritual thing I can do is take a good nap. Did that this afternoon and I already feel better. Taking care of our bodies takes care of our spirits.
  • I right the wrong. If I have been harsh with my children or a jerk to my husband, I must right the wrong. Time is our enemy here, because time builds up walls between us, putting us in relational bondage. There is freedom in forgiveness. We teach our children far more by admitting our faults and asking for forgiveness than we do trying to live "perfect", conflict-free lives. That's not reality. There will be hurt feelings and there will be cause to apologize in the real world, let's model this well for our families.
  • I re-enter the race. I love knowing that today is tomorrow's yesterday. Seriously, a bad day can only last 24 hours, then we get a new start. "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23) I love the promise that each day has new mercy waiting for me. Embrace a new day... or a new month... or a new year, with hope in your heart. God has not left us to be consumed by our own struggles, He is faithful, and I am so thankful!
This one's for all the moms out there! ;) 
"Surely you know. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever, who created all the world. He does not become tired or need to rest. No one can understand how great his wisdom is. He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall. But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again." 
(Isaiah 40:27-31)

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