Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Stress

Picture the scene:

The curtains are pushed back, allowing the rays of glorious morning to splash onto little sleeping faces. Mom sings:

"Good morning, Good morning!
It's such a lovely day.
Good morning, Good morning,
I really love to say.

Good morning, Good morning!
It's great to be with you!
Jesus, you are someone who makes all things new...."

The children are hustled out of bed with a smile and a song. They dress, pick up their rooms (both the dawdlers and the diligent), and report to breakfast. While they eat, Mom feeds the baby, reads some scriptures, combs their hair and explains that today we will be going out to the park and the library. Anticipation builds. Breakfast is over. The teeth are brushed and the little bodies are excited about going to the park. Mom begins to prepare to leave the house...

And then the stress mounts, and sweetness departs. Commands are barked. Mom is distracted with too much to prepare: lunch, library books, bank paperwork. And the children are distracted also, and need to be kept on task - but their Mom is too busy with pre-trip tasks. This majorly stresses Mom out. By the time we make it of the driveway, Mom is dizzy with grief and ashamed to sing the praise song she had planned to teach the children.

Sigh.

It wasn't always this way. I feel that I need to forge some new habits and do trip-training with the kids. This site helped me...I feel that #23 was key for me. I must learn to ask for help! Okay, friends, this is a lightbulb moment for me. I have a hard time asking anyone for help unless I feel that they are eager and willing. I think it must be pride and self-sufficiency. But I need to learn to talk to God on the spot, when the stress mounts. To believe God and allow His spirit to reveal His hidden wisdom.

The funny thing is, that once we are out of the house, everything is fine. The kids behave beautifully, they are obedient in public places (for the most part :-) ), and I have a great time!

What is it all for anyway? Obviously the stress in my life is unnecessary. And disobedient.


Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:6-8

2 comments:

  1. Hi Danielle:

    I appreciate what you wrote today. These things cause a lot of stress for me too, and it is nice to know that I am not alone.

    Love,
    Marce

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  2. #22 got me. I was just realizing the other day how I don't have any time to myself. I guess I do get a quick shower in the morning, but by the time I wake up, everyone else is also waking up. I am going to bed early at night, and there is rarely time when I am not meeting needs. Maybe when the unborn baby is sleeping through the night...

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