Well it's happened...all those answers of 'yes I can' have turned into a close to stressed out me! I love everything that God has allowed me to be a part of...truly, all of it! However, new things always come up that cannot be foreseen which adds the cherry on top. It's just enough to sink the icing on the cake...know what I mean? Have you ever felt that way? That if you just had a clone for a day that life would be swell and you could 'catch up' on everything?
The truth is we wouldn't. There is no 'catching up' because life happens.
I am blessed to be able to only work part time. I do miss being in the classroom full time, sometimes, some parts of it more than others; but I love teaching! So Stretch-N-Grow is a good way for me to teach sweet little preschoolers about health, fitness, muscles, and of course have a great time playing with equipment. And it allows me to still drop off/pick up my girls, help at their school, and try to take care of my home. As much as I enjoy my job, it wears me out! I can't seem to get to bed early enough on days I work (4 out of 5). That being said, although I did great working out this summer, I have only worked out once since starting back to work ... and that was on my day off!
My sweet angels go to a wonderful school with wonderful teachers, and I LOVE volunteering for them. It is a great outlet for me to do some of the things I love (copies, organizing, meeting sweet students, & even working with students). I know this time will pass all too quickly and I'm very honored that my daughters both want me there and that their teachers have always been open to having help! It helps this Mama who sometimes feels lost without those girls at home while not teaching in a classroom all at the same time!
Along with helping teachers, I also enjoy helping the school through the PTA. It goes in spurts of crazy...usually the crazy is right when everything else is crazy! However, having been a teacher, I know how important parental involvement is and how much it's needed. So though my role isn't what it could be if I didn't work at all, I still try and help when and where I can.
God's word is important to me! It should be a priority, but too many times isn't. Even though I often fail at daily studies of God's Word because I'm a sinner, I at least try to read my emailed daily devotional (Proverbs 31). Monday I will start an online Bible Study with my small group and I look forward to getting into the word of Colossians through Good Morning Girls! This will keep me focused, accountable, prioritized as I will have other women who will know if I stayed in the word that day!
All this to say...I'm behind on laundry, on cleaning, on picking up & organizing my home. But then I remember the story of Mary and Martha. When Jesus arrived at their home, Martha ran to work hard for Jesus while Mary just sat being WITH Jesus. It's about priorities. It's about helping earn some money so my husband doesn't stress about bills. It's about being involved in my daughters' education and school so they see that it's a priority to me and know that I'm there for them. It's about making time for God's word to be written on my heart and mind so I can use it, apply it, and share it the way I'm called to do.
If a friend comes over, even though my house may not be spotless, I know they won't remember my house, they'll remember my hospitality (and truthfully they're in the same walk of life and theirs is likely a little less than spotless also). What matters more on this Earth...a spotless, perfect house or a welcomed home with family and friends? Yes, I have to remind myself of this on a regular basis. But after talking with a couple friends this week who love the Lord as I do and try to serve our Heavenly Father as well as our families, I know I am not alone. This "Busy"ness of Life is normal!
Let's keep it real and admit that none of us Mama's of young children have this priority, time-management, organization thing down to a T! We all have work to do, but if we love our Lord with all our hearts, mind, body, soul, & strength...if we love our precious God-given angels and spouses the way Jesus loves His church...then we aren't doing too bad! ;)
So for today...I'm choosing peace. Peace about where God has me and the tasks that He has called me to do. I choose to have faith that He alone will give me the strength & wisdom I need to accomplish these tasks and keep a level head. I choose to not worry about the small stuff like laundry and a clean home and instead will take an extra few minutes to praise Jesus, to pray for my family & friends who are in need, & to listen to the sweet Giggles from Heaven!
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind." Luke 10:27
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up
for her."
Ephesians 5:25 (***we are all called to love others this way)
Tammy Jones
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
