Kolbi asked yesterday how I get all these projects done. My "I have no idea" answer got a little long for the comments section, so I thought I'd turn it into its own post.
Really, I have a lot of questions in this area myself.
I do honestly question sometimes, "how did I get all that done today?" Yesterday, for example... I mended a shirt for Jonathan, cleaned out the bottom of the pantry and brought in all the kitchen/pantry stuff that was still on our front porch, folded laundry, printed/"bound" part of a book for school, sorted/moved a bunch of wood outside, did two silhouettes, etc. And sometime in the late afternoon, my back totally spazzed on me and I've been able to move very little without pain ever since. So it's not like it was a full day.
I also often feel overwhelmed with how much I have on my plate. Mt. Washmore is rarely conquered for more than 1 day out of every 2 weeks (and that just includes Jonathan's and my laundry, along with towels/sheets/blankets). I have many many boxes left to unpack. My front porch is the picture of "white trash" living. We're still behind on our homeschooling.
And I question my priorities. Do I really mother my children like I should? Do I spend too much time hiding in my room? Do I let words like "independence" and "responsibility" mask words like "laziness?" When it comes to homemaking, do I have my priorities straight... is it more important to have pretty stuff on my walls and improve my tablescaping skills? Or should I try harder to tackle the piles of stuff on my front porch? And in the bigger picture, do I truly hunger and thirst after the God of my salvation like I say I do? Does the way I spend my time reflect His priorities?
I don't have answers to all those questions. And really, I'm okay with that. Life is a journey. I'm learning and growing, and my Shepard is infinitely patient and kind. He is also faithful, and He will complete the work He's begun in me. Woot!
In the meantime, here are some of the things that are working in my favor right now...
Sometimes, I manage to multi-task. For instance, right now, Kate and Grace are beside me, using the dice to practice addition while they move their "guys" around the Jr. Monopoly board. There's no goal, except to add and move, and they're loving it.
Also, I try to instill as much independence/responsibility as I can. This comes in many forms. The children supposedly do their own laundry (once they're old enough), though I still need to keep them on-task in this area, and I often drop the ball. The older four are divided into two teams that rotate dishes/clean-up responsibilities monthly. They generally fend for themselves for breakfast (I want to get better about providing simple and well-rounded food for them for breakfast), and often a couple of the older children put lunch together.
Way too often, though, I forget to multi-task and I forget to have the kids keep up with their end of things. So I just want to clarify that I am NOT Supermom/Superwife! I'm just a woman seeking to follow her Shepard, stumbling often, and always being picked back up. Because HE is the SuperHero. I fail, I fall, I wander. He comforts me, picks me up, and tracks me down when I get lost. And I am unspeakably thankful.
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3 comments:
Thank you for your post Laurel. I have been feeling the same way as of late. Am I putting to much time on "getting stuff done" or investing in my boys and instructing them? Mostly I feel I am lazy, then I rush to make my day somewhat productive and overlook my kids.
The Lord is so good and patience to point these thing out and gently lead us back to His perspective.
This is a great post. Thank you, Laurel! I feel so unsettled during this specific season of our lives. I know that it won't last forever, I know that God has His purposes, and I understand that He is providing all the help and strength I need each moment...and I continue to struggle with finding balance, my human frailty, relationships with others, how I spend my time. We certainly need to lean, and lean hard, on the Lord. We need His direction, His provision, His forgiveness. I need to trust Him that He is working out all things for our good and His glory.
The Lord is so good and patient as Jessie said!
Thank you for your eloquent answer. I sometimes focus too much on my shortcomings. The fact that no one shares my bed is an excuse to use the empty half for clean laundry, the kids being decent humans excuses the fact that we don't get all our school done, the fact that I work full time excuses my afternoon nap, etc. I'm working on these things, but it's nice to remember that in the grand scheme of things, the fact that, darn it, I'm trying is sometimes enough. Most moms need to give themselves a break sometimes for not being Supermom, I'm glad that you do.
Also, your not even full day is pretty impressive.
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