What a week I had last week! I tell you what! I wanted to give up on all my efforts and just turn my “Momma” card in. It was one struggle after another last week. It started out fun and exciting, deteriorated through the middle of the week and by the very end of it Momma had an outburst of frustration, I was over it. After much speculation and thought I came to the realization that I had way to many expectations of my kids, my husband and myself. I was trying to be “Perfect”! Obviously things did not go my way and the week fell apart striving for the perfection I so desired.
What was I working to be perfect at? Well we started a new family schedule last week. When I created the schedule I thought it would work so well and easily for our family. I figured a bit of structure would take little or no effort to implement into our lives. When I saw things were obviously not going according to plan I began demanding everyone get on board with me. I pushed my kids and myself to hard. I also took my frustrations out on my husband, NOT good. Thursday evening I realized some things in our schedule and a lot in my heart had to change. I sat down with my schedule and re-configured a few things to run more smoothly. Since then things have become SO much better! No stress, just free flowing movements.
Over the weekend my Mom sent my Hubs and I out on a date, THANKS Mom! We had a great chat. From our discussion I re-evaluated my heart, parenting habits and current events in our family. Mike and I talked about how things need to change agreed that we had created a few petty issues in our stress. Ever notice that when you are stressing a few things that would not typically bother you end up driving you crazy? Well we talked about those things and let them go. The time we had together was quality and well needed. I am so thankful we talked and re-connected. We both felt ready to take on the next day after our great date night!
Our “schedule” is now our routine, not ridged but just right. Today our routine did not start “on time” but it didn’t matter. It was not ridged, it was relaxed and flowed which is what my family craves. This morning when I woke up I remembered to love my children, lead my children not command and demand them. Life is far from perfect (which is GOOD), it feels comfortable, relaxed and enjoyable.
Today in the middle of making myself a chai latte I spilled some milk, ON my new routine. Last week I would have been frustrated. This week I let it remind me that “stuff” happens. I found it all to humorous that it spilled on the item that drove me crazy last week. What a PERFECT (in this case perfect is good) reminder that a little spilled milk is nothing to worry about. I looked at the milk and thought “really? did that just happen?” and then I was inspired to write this post! I simply wiped up the milk and went on making my fabulous chai latte, YUM! What a great example! Things will go wrong, we cannot avoid that! We must remember it is what we do when things go wrong that will lead us to success or failure. Remember good things DO come from the bad but YOU have to find them. Have a great Monday!
~Mae
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Isn’t it funny that we sometimes have to have things get a little chaotic and stressed to come back to what’s important? Been there! Glad you and the hubby could take some time, go on a date and talk it thru.
Yes I agree, it’s frustrating things end up being that way but I suppose that is how true character is created.
So proud of you Mae and Mike. You are so special and I’m so happy to be Gramma.
Aww thanks! We are blessed to have you and Dad. Love you!
It is so true! Sometimes you just need to step back and reevaluate what is really important! My new goal is to learn to leave work and its stresses at work!! That can cause some unneeded stress at home!
That’s a great goal to strive for! I’d love to hear about tips and things you do to leave those stresses at work. Do you take an alternative route home that’s longer to relax, do you listen to a certain music or stop and get a coffee? What do you do to relax and forget about those stresses before you enter home?
Oh I have SO been having a similar week. I had to interrupt my quest to preserve my garden harvest/canning etc. “perfectly” in order to make a weeklong trip with DH two weeks ago. Ever since, I have been stressing myself out to get all the stuff I “have” to get done finished. And YES little things that normally don’t bother me have been getting under my skin! I have been barking at my family far too often, then wondering why I’m having trouble really connecting with the Spirit when I’m working on my Bible study homework. Is it any wonder?
For some reason this post brought the chorus of John Waller’s “The Blessing” to mind. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWs-4tPGMGE) So I’ve just been listening to it over and over. I love this:
“This day you set life, you set death right before us.
This day every blessing and curse is a choice now
and we will choose to be a blessing for life”
We get to CHOOSE what will be a blessing or a curse. Likewise we get to CHOOSE to be a blessing or a curse to those around us. Totally sobering when I think of which I’ve been more often to my family in the last week.
Thanks for sharing from your heart. It was Spirit-filled and spoke right to my heart.
Great song! Good point I am glad you spoke how you did, after I posted my “post” I realized I forgot to mention God and He’s the key factor on why my days have gotten better, relying on Him to be in control instead of me is HUGE! Thank you!