There is so much I want to do and so much to be done. There is a philosophy of “how to be perfect” and a religion of “let it go.” The judgemental wars commence, if your home is clean then you must not have played with your children and if you don’t pack a Pinterest lunch then you must not care about their little body’s health.
LETTING IT GO TURNS INTO ONE MORE THING THAT I HAVE TO GET DONE!
Do I make the bed or have breakfast with the fam? Do we go for a lazy walk around the pond or cut a fruit salad? Will the ironing stack disappear or will the new puzzle be opened? Is it more important to linger at bedtime and cuddle with my daughter or just sit on the couch and be with my husband that has been at work all day? Will the floor get mopped or Shepherding a Child’s Heart be reread?
And I believe the answer is this: YES. Hmmm, rephrased: Do it all, every bit of it. Clarified: Don’t do any of it. Meaning: none of it is important. Spelled out: this is what life is all about.
OK. OK. funny, funny. How do we know what to do and what not to do?
Yes! Spending time with our children playing SORRY or Legos is crucially important but so is having dishes clean for dinner and clothes to put on in the morning.
There are lots of little practical tips: Do it together. Invent cleaning games. Take double the time washing sudsy dishes with your two year old playing in the soap and “helping.” Be together. Do together. Include them in the things you have to do vs the games they want to play. Then they are learning and will soon be able to take over some of the chores.
And there are the facts of life: Work hard! Life is not easy!
But still, HOW, WHY, and WHEN?
And here is what I myself am still trying to learn and apply, the real answer is: LOVE. Make a perfect cookie cutter shaped sandwich and homemade cookies for a school lunch if it is showing love, scrub the floor and wash and iron the clothes to welcome your husband into a restful home, turn off the TV and play Monopoly, learn together, do together, DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY AND WHEN YOU GET JUDGEMENTAL EYES FROM THAT FREAKIN PHARISEE, LET IT ALL GO!
You seem to know how to prioritize here. It is hard, and everything is a daily thing. You’re right about love being the deciding factor. Love makes it all better, no matter what.
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Yes. We use the phrase too often, but love is everything!
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Great post! None of it is easy, all of it is easy…none of it feels good, all of it is good…LOVE makes it all worthwhile!
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Caroline,
I could not have said this any better. I am married for almost 49 years, raised 6
wonderful children and have 14 perfect grandchildren and tomorrow get to hold my first great grandchild. Girl you are singing my song. I tell young wives and mothers Wonder Woman is a comic book character. She isn’t real. Be the wife and mother that is right for your family and don’t worry about what others think. Proverbs 31:28 is what it is all about. Keep on keeping on. I enjoy your blog. God bless you and your family.
“Putter”
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Thank you so much! A new baby! Now that is a reason to celebrate! Enjoy that precious newborn tomorrow!!!
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Yes
Too many voices
There should only be One
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Perfectly said, dear one! We all clean and tidy and keep our house a home so we can all do things together or all get our own quiet time, or whatever the Good Lord leads us to do in the moment. 🙂
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Freakin Pharisees, Great!
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They are freakin. Right? 😊
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Others who criticise have lost perspective or lack knowledge.
Self criticism is an indulgence, balance remains critical because it empowers, prioritises and satisfies.
Nothing can be perfect, however we can always try to do our best – be generous, care and listen because that is your LOVE in action.
Good post – thought provoking thank you
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thank you so very much! convicting for me to read my own words and remember, oh yeah, i need to live that out today!
have a great weekend!
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