Have you ever felt like you are constantly meeting other people's needs? The kids need a snack, the baby NEEDS a diapers change, everyone needs clean clothes. Every need seems to be an emergency. Most needs demand my attention, time and energy. Did you ever notice that your husband can have a list of projects to do, start working on them and get them finished without interruption? That never seems to happen to me. There are also needs from our extended families, friends and church. Did anyone ever notice that I might have a need? Like I might NEED to go the bathroom during the day BY MYSELF?
It's an unusual feeling to have my life so full of meeting other peoples needs. I was just reading in a magazine about "me time". They had a whole section on how to cater to yourself because you deserve it! Anything from a trip to a spa to buying that new outfit was important because we live in a self centered world! Now I'm all about getting out and away from things. It is important or I might be writing this from some type of institution some day. But I do think there is danger in the "you deserve it" mentality. The healthy magazines of the world will tell you to slow down, cherish life and center yourself! But I'm pretty sure last time I checked the Bible has a different message: self-sacrifice, humility and seeking to meet the needs of others first or even instead of our own. That is how we become more like Christ and more godly wives, mothers, and friends.
So even though I'd really like to go get my errands done, take a nap and go for a walk, I guess it will take a backseat to reading stories, starting movies, painting fingernails, refereeing fights, dispelling temper tantrums, important projects in the garage and anything else that comes along. I need to keep my eyes fixed on Christ and not ME and allow Christ's example to keep me humble and ready to serve.
Acts 2:45
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Matthew 25:40
I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
Philipians 2:3-5
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Change
Wow! It's been so long that I couldn't even remember my sign in or password for this blog! Well, I am back at the stage of child rearing where I am finally sleeping through the night again after 14 long months and my brain waves are returning to their pre-baby level, which really isn't saying much! Maren is so much happier now. She stayed home with Mike a few weekends ago so I could go to Girl Scout camp with Jenna. I guess she didn't miss me much. She is weaned, sleeping better and walking and so life goes on.
This week Grant, our oldest, went to Bible camp. My friend and I dropped him and her son off on Sunday afternoon. We thought we would help them get settled, comfort them and so on, but they were anxious for us to leave. And now it's been four days and I haven't heard a word from him. Of course I have emailed him every day and they give it to him, but he can't email back. I thought about sending some envelopes and stamps with him so he could write, but Mike quickly scoffed at that informing me that boys don't write letters from camp.
Yesterday, I thought maybe Mike should drive up there and hide in the trees just to see how he was doing. I guess you can probably figure how well that went over. So I am left wondering how my little boy is doing away from home! It's an odd feeling after having so much daily control and interaction all his life. He was excited and ready, but I'm not sure I was.
Jenna is in Chicago this week with my parents and her cousin. She was actually nervous about going and came out of bed crying before she left. But things are going fine and she is having a great time. That's what my mom said anyway, she was really too busy to talk to me today!
So what's a mother to do? It's just the beginning of them having more and more of their own life. More and more of their time revolving around friends, activities and less time at home base. As much as I hate to admit it, there are things that they need to do and learn apart from me. And I know that I'm going to lose my place at the center of their life, which is the whole point of growing up right? I just didn't think it would start so soon or be so weird. When all the kids were little I thought I'd be relieved when they were able to do things away from me. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for them to have these experiences.
And this had made me really look forward to and appreciate our family trip this summer! All of us together in the van, okay maybe not that part, but away from baseball and friends and stuff. It's just a reminder that we have them for such a short time.
This week Grant, our oldest, went to Bible camp. My friend and I dropped him and her son off on Sunday afternoon. We thought we would help them get settled, comfort them and so on, but they were anxious for us to leave. And now it's been four days and I haven't heard a word from him. Of course I have emailed him every day and they give it to him, but he can't email back. I thought about sending some envelopes and stamps with him so he could write, but Mike quickly scoffed at that informing me that boys don't write letters from camp.
Yesterday, I thought maybe Mike should drive up there and hide in the trees just to see how he was doing. I guess you can probably figure how well that went over. So I am left wondering how my little boy is doing away from home! It's an odd feeling after having so much daily control and interaction all his life. He was excited and ready, but I'm not sure I was.
Jenna is in Chicago this week with my parents and her cousin. She was actually nervous about going and came out of bed crying before she left. But things are going fine and she is having a great time. That's what my mom said anyway, she was really too busy to talk to me today!
So what's a mother to do? It's just the beginning of them having more and more of their own life. More and more of their time revolving around friends, activities and less time at home base. As much as I hate to admit it, there are things that they need to do and learn apart from me. And I know that I'm going to lose my place at the center of their life, which is the whole point of growing up right? I just didn't think it would start so soon or be so weird. When all the kids were little I thought I'd be relieved when they were able to do things away from me. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for them to have these experiences.
And this had made me really look forward to and appreciate our family trip this summer! All of us together in the van, okay maybe not that part, but away from baseball and friends and stuff. It's just a reminder that we have them for such a short time.
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