As a homeschool mom, the need for that familiar routine is all too much needed. However, I know today is going to be a day of groaning and whining on many parts. The kids. Mostly mine. I know Andy wasn't all that excited to get up and venture out into the Ohio Arctic blast in the early morning hours.
There is so much to be grateful for ... Warm home. Warm coffee. A breakfast to warm our belly. Sweet souls around the table.
But... All too quickly that attitude of gratefulness can wane.
We spill that warm coffee down our shirt.
The baby begins to scream. The dog wants out. The phone is ringing off the hook.
The kids come running down the stairs, pushing each other. Fighting already!
I find myself at the beginning of our new normal. Today we are beginning homeschooling, full throttle, for the first time since having Baby Coulson.
I can already tell you who will be breaking down about what. *sigh*
My yearning for routine is strong but my already annoyed thinking of what the day holds is strong as well.
Here I find myself with a cup of coffee, a sleeping babe- words and thoughts at the corner of a road.
Do I choose to embrace the chaos with joy and thankfulness or do I allow myself to get in that all too familiar mood of annoyance and distance?
Do I allow myself to launch into "We are getting it done. No person left behind!" mode?
Does that show Jesus to the little eyes staring up at me?
Does that really show my dear blessings just how much I love, adore and thank the Lord for them?
Today, this moment, I am choosing to guard my words. To bring healing to my family. To, whatever the day my bring, speak love and life into my home and it's occupants.
This is my hand verse. As a reminder. When I begin to wave my hands around in exasperation, I will be seeing this gentle reminder. Hopefully, Lord willing, it will halt my mouth and eye rolling.
This morning in my quiet time, I came across this sweet little poem and it hit me smack dab in the gut. Talk about conviction...
Only One Childhood
I stopped to watch my little girl
Busy playing in her room.
In one hand was a plastic phone;
in the other a toy broom.
I listened as she was speaking
To her make-believe friend
And I'll never forget the words she said
Even though it was pretend.
She said, "Suzie's in the corner
Cuz she's not been very good.
She didn't listen to a word I said
Or do the things she should."
In the corner I saw her baby doll
Dressed all in lace and pink.
It was obvious she had been put there
To sit alone and think.
My daughter continued her "conversation,"
As I sat down on the floor.
She said," I'm all fed up, I just don't know
What to do with her anymore."
"She whines whenever I have to work
And wants to play games, too;
And never lets me do the things
That I just have to do."
"She tries to help me with the dishes,
But her arms just cannot reach
And she doesn't know how to fold the towels
And I don't have time to teach."
"I have a lot of work to do
And a big house to keep clean.
I don't have time to sit and play-
Don't you know what I mean?"
And that day I thought a lot about
Making some chances in my life;
As I listened to her innocent words
That cut me like a knife.
I hadn't been paying enough attention
To what I hold most dear.
I'd been caught up in responsibilities
That increased throughout the year.
But now my attitude has changed
Because, in my heart, I realize
I've seen the world in a different light
Through my little darling's eyes.
So let the cobwebs have the corners
And the dust bunnies rule the floor.
I'm not going to worry about
Keeping up with them any more.
I'm going to fill the house with memories
Or a child and her mother
For God grans us only ONE childhood,
And we never get another.
-Linda Ellis
This morning, mamas, let's pray and work together to being love and life to our families through loving, gentle words.
- "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth." -Proverbs 10:19-20
- "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
- Please words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." -Proverbs 16:24
- "He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." - Proverbs 17:27
- "Like the apples of gold in a setting of silver is a word spoken in right circumstance." - Proverbs 25:11
- "Do you see a man who is hasty with his words? There is more hope for a fool than him." - Proverbs 29:20
- "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord." - Psalm 19:14
I am praying for you, sweet friends as your venture out into your new normal of 2018. My the words you choose bring healing and love!
Until next post. <3
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