Monday, September 13, 2010

Anxiety Is A Lousy Friend

He may come to you in the wee hours of the morning where you begin to think about the events of the day and the fact that you will be doing them alone.

Or perhaps he will show up in the afternoon when children are sleeping and it is "supposed" to be your time to relax too. The quietness is disturbed with racing thoughts of all that STILL needs to get done before the day is over.

If he hasn't shown up yet...and it would be a surprise if he hasn't! But just in case he hasn't. Wait for it...wait for it..poof, there he is in the middle of the night. Coming to sit on your chest so you feel heavy and like you are suffocating. then he will toss thoughts here and there in your head like a bouncy ball. Disturbing your most important time of the day to rest and be refreshed and ready for the next day.

He may show up at all of those times or possibly just one. OR he may show up a million more times through the day and night. I personally don't like uninvited guests who bring bad news. So he is not welcome at my house. Although he still shows up. I don't open the door to him. I keep all my doors and windows locked and I ignore the doorbell.
So seriously, how does this guy get in? Sneaky SOB.

If you happen to find yourself "entertaining" this unwanted guest here's a little "tip" from me:)
Tell him politely to leave...I mean DEMAND that he leave. Push his butt out the door and tell him to never return! "Wow, that was easy." you might think.
But this guy is a persistent little fellow. And if he...WHEN he does return, because he will. Do the same thing. Over and over and ...

"Do not be ANXIOUS about ANYTHING. But in EVERYTHING by prayer and petition WITH thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the PEACE of GOD which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Prayer for a Busy Day with Children

"Father thank you that I am a parent. I'm looking forward to this busy day that will be filled with the chatter and laughter of my children. MAY I CATCH THEIR ENTHUSIASM AND MAY THEIR INTERESTS INFECT MY OWN SPIRIT SO THAT I, TOO MAY HAVE A CHILDLIKE EAGERNESS FOR THE EVENTS OF THE DAY. Give us PATIENCE if the day grows long and tempers wear thin. MAY WE END THE DAY with EAGERNESS to spend ANOTHER day TOGETHER.
AMEN."


This is a great prayer for each day...for mothers. It is tough to pray at times because it is not always how I feel. Although I suppose that is WHY I am praying it! Because it is what I desire. It is what I ask the Lord to do in me and to work in my throughout the day. Am I always thankful to be a parent? Deep down, yes. I am always thankful for it. When times are tough I don't feel that way though. Do I want to have the eagerness of my children for each new day and do I want to always be interested in what they like? That often means that I have to sacrifice what I feel like doing or how I am feeling. Many times I would rather climb back in bed and let them watch a video or two, or three:) I have done it before when I am sick or when I am just completely exhausted. But on a daily basis that would be wrong...for me. If I give my children the time they need (which is often difficult) then they will be happier, more content and fulfilled and so will I. It's tough though. Some days I do better than others. Yesterday I did great. Today I am doing okay. Each day is different and it depends on the choices I choose to make on how I will treat them and what I choose to do. What I decide to sacrifice and what I decide to be selfish about.

Does the day often seem longer than others? APSOLUTELY! Do tempers wear thin? Duh. I think that is not necessary to comment on:)
Do I often have an eagerness for the next day? Most likely a day that will seem to be very similar to this day and the next day and the next. Yep. It's tough. I don't. Not always. Some days I'd rather do something else. And others I look forward to. Being a family and being together. Obviously it's not because I don't love my girls or because I don't enjoy time as a family. But because we all need a break. Especially stay at home moms who are with their kids 24/7.
Get a break and things seem much better. Your perspective is different. You see things for how they really are. And it is no longer just based on your emotions.


Good luck with this day my friends! May it be full of laughter and fun and love and peace. Patience and special moments. Excitement for the next day. And the day after that..and the next! Thank the Lord every day that you are a parent. Remember the joy it brings you and not just the pain:)
When we remain in THANKFULNESS we are able to be more content in our circumstances and in our life in general. BE THANKFUL!!!
Blessings and Love to you!