January was wonderful. I wish all my months could be like January. But, it is the end of February and I honestly have no idea where the time has gone. I am sure time was taken to enjoy all of the wonderful things that our life has to offer us. But, doing all of those good things comes with a cost. And the costs are not quite as apparent.
Because we have been so busy with life, the following things have gone by the wayside. Things, that I feel, are important for us to function in the way God has called us to function as a family.
-We have had little family worship time around the dinner table.
-My personal quiet time has suffered.
-We haven't been able to do Meals on Wheels for three weeks.
-We aren't getting enough sleep.
-We are not eating right.
-We have been split up as a family (part of the family at one activity and part at another)
-No consistency in school work.
-The house is a wreck. Messy and dirty.
-We are not able to give 100%. to the great things to do.
-No baking, PW cooking and developing home skills.
-There isn't much rest or regrouping.
-All the habits that we have been working on have been lost or have to be relearned.
-No blog posts.
-Only functioning for what needs to be done right at the moment.
-Hubby and I don't have time to talk.
-Constantly under pressure.
-Regularly scheduling things are our "home" Tuesdays.
I read somewhere recently that a simpler, slower life is more reflective of God. Because we have more time to focus on Him and the things to be grateful to Him for. When we are crazy busy our sinful, selfish, impatient nature rears it's ugly head. And, in all honesty, the first thing to go is my (our) thankfulness.
I believe our days should be somewhat similar with the ability to be flexible when the need arises. We learn good habits by consistency. We are much more able to be patient and loving and serving when we are not harried and tired. These are things I feel we need to have as a younger family. When we are super busy the love, kindness and servitude disappear. On my part as well! God says we are to run from the temptation of sin. To me, that says we need to slow down.
I am totally to blame for the chaos in our house this month. Hubby and I have had more than one conversation on how to control it now, before it becomes a habit.
I am going to take time today to go over March. Pray over our to-do list and event calendar and trim out the things that are good but not great. I want us to be totally where we are when we are there. But, that entails not worry about what the next thing is on the calendar.
Yesterday was tough for me. We did a TON of good things and the kids had a blast. Field trip, lunch on the beach, ballet, baseball, church, drama practice. But I am tired. Once in awhile is fine but it should not be the norm for us. The kids are tired and the next few days are much the same. I suppose we could have skipped a thing or two but we committed and, if we commit to something, I believe we have a responsibility to follow through.
As the kids get older and involved in more things, I know there is no easy answer. I have to stop committing to so many good things so we can give our best to the great things. I have to start some where. We will see how March goes . . .
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