Super

Lately I've been finding myself trying to be "super mom." All right - who am I kidding? The attempts started when sweet little Drama Queen was born. This condition has been only exacerbated by reading too many "perfect" mommy blogs or trying to compare myself to other mommies I know.

I think that sometimes I forget that my family is not "their" family. My kids are not "their" kids. God made our family unit unique - and what's right for our family may not necessarily work for another family.

I also need to be reminded (more often than I care to admit!) that I can't do anything without God. Every day is proof that I am painfully human and that I can only "do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth me."

And as I continue on this perilous journey called motherhood, I am discovering that the path that is right for our family is not the popular one. Even amidst Christian circles, the choices we are making as a family draw negative attention and criticism. I used to care about these comments, these harsh words of "constructive criticism." I felt my family should look like and act like and participate in the same things as all the other families in our circle.

More and more, I am realizing that it isn't about me and "fitting in" with others. God's way is perfect. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I wish I could say that this momma fully trusts God in every thing, especially the new steps that are coming up in our lives soon. I'm still working on that - but I feel a peace knowing that the decisions we are making are the right ones.

I won't be achieving that "super mom" status any time soon, but I am so thankful I have a super God on which to lean!

Another BIG mess

Last Monday, I was pre-rinsing some stained clothing in my utility sink when I heard yelling from upstairs. I left the water running and ran upstairs to investigate and ultimately, referee. When I came back downstairs, I was shocked to see that my big sink had overflowed, flooding my laundry room and the downstairs (carpeted) hallway. It was a BIG mess, resulting in hours with a shop vac, lots of towels, three heated fans, and the replacement of the carpet pad.

A few days later, my charming little boys had been put into their room for "rest time." I was busy helping my daughter organize and decorate her room while routinely checking on the little monsters (which were in no way "resting."!) One time while sticking my head in to say "please be quiet" and "try to rest, guys!", I was horrified to discover that the boys had been in their diapers and had been spreading the contents on the walls, the carpet, their beds, their clothes, etc. It was a BIG mess, resulting in hours with a carpet cleaner, a LONG bath for the boys, lots of scrubbing, and throwing away a few toys.

The following week, I made the amateur mistake of thinking I could quickly run to the bathroom while the kids were playing in the living room. I came back to the living room to see that the Beast had found a tube of my yellow paint and had squirted it everywhere - the couch, the recliner, the carpet, his clothes, etc. It was a BIG mess, resulting in hours with a carpet cleaner, lots of scrubbing the leather couches, and painstakingly cleaning some electronic equipment.

The following day, I had the privilege to be kid-free! as I attended our annual Ladies' Conference. I gleaned so much from the conference that I am still sorting through it in my head and heart as I strive to make changes in my life for Him. One particular session, called "Blush", reminded me of yet another BIG mess in my life. Only this time, I hadn't taken care of this mess right away. Imagine if I had left those carpets to soak? Or if I had waited to clean the boys' artwork in their room? And yet, I had been ignoring my OWN mess in my life - that of television:

I knew that I watched an unhealthy amount of television each day, and what's worse was the fact that I was becoming desensitized to filthy language, inappropriate behavior, etc. That day I made a commitment to take a break from TV for one full week (my kids too!) and spend the week evaluating EVERY show I typically watch.

I am realizing more and more this week that almost ALL of the shows I watch are not appropriate. I am especially convicted by the number of reality tv shows that I watch. Here I am, being entertained by someone else's "real" life, when I could be helping or edifying someone in REAL life.

It's definitely going to be a journey, and not an easy one at that. But God's help and this scripture: "I will set no wicked thing before my eyes" (Psalm 101:3) will carry me through. It's time to clean up this BIG mess!