I'm sure that most of you have seen the email about the mom that hesitated saying she was just a mom/housewife because of the little value that often times comes from the perception of that. I can clearly remember saying to a friend in college that when I got married that I wanted to stay home, especially if we had kids, although I didn't think kids were in my future. She was shocked and asked what I would do all day long, said how boring it would be. Now that I'm staying home daily with our four little ones, age 6 and under it has long since past that I have ever said that I was bored with nothing to do.
There is a never ending to do list, baby to be fed, pumping, meals to make, dishes to do, laundry to wash, floors to sweep, boo boos to kiss and bandage, scabbles to settle, bills to pay, errands to run, groceries that need put away, friends to talk with, husband to love on...and dozens of things on a wish list for what sometimes seems like a far off future.
Although I never run out of things to do, I do sometimes run out of gusto and joy in the routine of life. I catch myself envious of some moms who have a career, get to go to the Chamber of Commerce after hours social club, get to have extra money all their own, get to dress up and have the newest haircut, those moms that seem to accomplish so much and still manage to keep their own identity. But of course that is all from the outside looking in.
I have really had to do a self check of attitude in the last 2 weeks and find that I truely am thankful that I have more time to spend with my kids, that I am the woman that my husband calls sometimes 10 times a day for an invoice rather than another secretary and I never get to hear his voice, I'm thankful for the laundry as we have plenty of clothes to wear, thankful for the dishes as we have plenty of food to enjoy, thankful for the messes made as we have a large home that is difficult at times to keep up with. I am especially thankful for the noise and laughter that fills the house. I'm thankful for a new baby to kiss and cuddle.
Proverbs 14 says that a wise woman builds up her house. I am thankful that I am that woman that is at the heart of our home. It is a daunting thought that I have that ability to either build it up or tear it down. There have been plenty of times that after a long remodeling process and improvements made in our marriage and family, that I have single handedly been able to make a huge mess of everything by looking for the greener grass and the better situation rather than appreciating what God has blessed me with. And I made sure everyone knew how unhappy I was with all the "sacrifices" I was making for everyone else, rather than giving thanks for all my gifts.
I read a book a couple of years ago, Professionalizing Motherhood, and it gives a new face to old chores and a new attitude about how to view them. Instead of thinking I have a stack of dirty dishes, thank God that there was food to eat and fellowship to be enjoyed over the meal. I pray that I can once again look at life with a renewed love for serving my family and create a home of peace, understanding, love, safety and be a mom the kids enjoy and the wive my husband delights in.
There is a never ending to do list, baby to be fed, pumping, meals to make, dishes to do, laundry to wash, floors to sweep, boo boos to kiss and bandage, scabbles to settle, bills to pay, errands to run, groceries that need put away, friends to talk with, husband to love on...and dozens of things on a wish list for what sometimes seems like a far off future.
Although I never run out of things to do, I do sometimes run out of gusto and joy in the routine of life. I catch myself envious of some moms who have a career, get to go to the Chamber of Commerce after hours social club, get to have extra money all their own, get to dress up and have the newest haircut, those moms that seem to accomplish so much and still manage to keep their own identity. But of course that is all from the outside looking in.
I have really had to do a self check of attitude in the last 2 weeks and find that I truely am thankful that I have more time to spend with my kids, that I am the woman that my husband calls sometimes 10 times a day for an invoice rather than another secretary and I never get to hear his voice, I'm thankful for the laundry as we have plenty of clothes to wear, thankful for the dishes as we have plenty of food to enjoy, thankful for the messes made as we have a large home that is difficult at times to keep up with. I am especially thankful for the noise and laughter that fills the house. I'm thankful for a new baby to kiss and cuddle.
Proverbs 14 says that a wise woman builds up her house. I am thankful that I am that woman that is at the heart of our home. It is a daunting thought that I have that ability to either build it up or tear it down. There have been plenty of times that after a long remodeling process and improvements made in our marriage and family, that I have single handedly been able to make a huge mess of everything by looking for the greener grass and the better situation rather than appreciating what God has blessed me with. And I made sure everyone knew how unhappy I was with all the "sacrifices" I was making for everyone else, rather than giving thanks for all my gifts.
I read a book a couple of years ago, Professionalizing Motherhood, and it gives a new face to old chores and a new attitude about how to view them. Instead of thinking I have a stack of dirty dishes, thank God that there was food to eat and fellowship to be enjoyed over the meal. I pray that I can once again look at life with a renewed love for serving my family and create a home of peace, understanding, love, safety and be a mom the kids enjoy and the wive my husband delights in.
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