chaos ensues

Illness has invaded our home.  In the wake of Mommy being laid up... chaos ensues. Mini bodies are clothed and fed. I am praising my Lord for a dishwasher! But toys are scattered. Crumbs get smaller with each passage of pitter-patter through the house.

For the rest of the week everything will be washed with hot water and tea tree oil to kill some germs!

But what about the spirit that aches? -the Mommy-heart that hurts over canceled activities and a less-than-compassionate attitude that can take over when a body just feels... iiiuhhh.

While yet taking a break from typing this, as most posts take several "sit sessions" to complete, I rested, made yet another meal, and kept repeating... "what did you say?" over. and. over. and. over. and not always in a pleasant manner. {my ears a horribly stopped up}

While medicine and sleep can {usually} take care of the body, who or what can takes care of my soul?

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing...girded me with gladness...to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalms 30:10-12

The Lord takes care of my soul. His mercies are new every. single. day. And they fail not. I ask for His joy... He makes my mourning to dance and lifts me with gladness.

When I allow a merry heart to take over {it does good like a medicine, you know}, or... as sometimes happens... I look for a merry heart, I begin to have my spirits raised and while my body still aches, my soul is lighter, happier... my face can have a smile amid cracked lips and a sinus pressure headache. 

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Some days all I need to find a merry heart is to STOP. and look at and listen to my children. With 4 around, someone is bound to be bringing amusement. I take an active role in playing with them, asking what they are playing... and that has yet to not lift my spirits.

Other days I think through our church members, browse my facebook friends for those who do not post very frequently...and look. actively seek out. someone who needs my prayer, or maybe a note. When I get outside of myself, I find a solace for my soul that is not there when I am focusing on me... even on my blessings. 

So, while my body is still struggling {contemplating a doctor visit :(}, my soul has become lighter, healthier, more peaceful... because Jesus is said to be the Great Physician... and sometimes my soul needs more healing than my ill body.

giving good gifts {day 12}

"after" - this makes my heart sing.

Sometimes, it is frustrating to realize just how much like a little child {my children, no less!} I act. 

When they are asked to complete a very simple chore: please take the toys off of the bookshelves, because you know they do not belong there [this is purely for my own sanity]; their first response is: but I can't reach... whatever toy on whatever shelf... excuses. 

[SOMEONE put it there! and it wasn't Mommy!!] 

{yes. this happened just a few minutes ago... :)}

And then I think about simple tasks my Heavenly Father asks of me... write a kind note to a hurting church member, take a few extra steps and say HI to a visitor in church, let me {HIM} help you love your family as you want to... as is your heart's desire.

... and I say, but LORD! I just can't do that! for whatever reason. {I don't have their address, I feel awkward talking to strangers, sometimes it's hard to let God move in my heart....} 

I forget what I tell my own children: Just say yes, ma'am and do what you can; show me you are trying to obey, and ask for my help and Mommy will help with the rest...

"before"--'nuff said!

Is not God better than that?

and I am reminded of:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened...If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:8 & 11

Yes, Lord. 

That is all the response He asks.

So, today, I wrote a note... and I am going to ask God to help me show my family how much I love them! 

And for tomorrow... we'll just see what tomorrow brings!

one other passage came to mind:  

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: 

for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, 

that the power of Christ may rest upon me

... for when I am weak, then am I strong.  

2 Corinthians 12:9 & 10

 

 

The bookshelf pictures were from about 2 weeks ago... I did a major decluttering and re-shelving of books. When little fingers think the bookshelves are playgrounds, nothing is safe! Most of the messiness is moved and 'rearranged' books. The "after" picture is almost what it looked like again this morning after we removed several layers of toys... SO happy! I took pictures to PROVE that they CAN look nice :) with all the books on the shelves and "in their home."

soul rest {day 9}

Do you know when your children just really need some extra rest?
The fussiness, crankiness, general irritability--that just screams at you, “Please put me in my bed and let my body rest!”

yep, that's a pouty face...

Some days, my spirit is like that. The children’s fussiness grates on my nerves; the mess that accompanies 6 people in a small space... clothing, toys, school papers, mis-matched socks,  lost cups [found days later], remnants of “teachable moments” {let’s see how well you can put your own clothing away. hehe}, etc.; and then they all want to eat-3 times a day... all work together to make my soul weary. And yet, I am not to be weary in well-doing.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  

Galatians 6:7-9.

And I realize that...

I am trying to do good... in my own strength {again}. 

{I am reaping weakness... because I am sowing in my own strength}

And I must lay down my burdens with the Lord and let Him take over!

Come unto me...and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me... ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Matthew 11:28,29

when life happens {day 8}

You know the saying "Life is what happens after you make plans."?

That was my day today. I had plans to "farm the kids out" {not really, just asked a trusted, sweet lady to keep them for the day}... so I could concentrate on some truly necessary things in our home that keep getting pushed further and further into {not onto, that would imply I'm still entertaining thoughts of them. haha} the back burner. 

And then, last night, I heard a racking, hoarse cough coming from the girls' room. I knew right away which one it was... my baby girl. Her congestion had finally settled, hard, right in her chest.

She woke up coughing... and crying, which made it worse. And made my momma-heart hurt.

But even amid the fatigue, the Lord gave me strength and brought certain things to my remembrance to help me help her. We got her coughing calmed down, and she went back to sleep for several hours... then it was time to get her sisters up for school. 

 

A little while later, the baby's nasal drainage caused his tummy to not appreciate his breakfast... {but he jumped right back up to being his normal, happy little self... and we are all cleaned and disinfected. hehe}

All this to paint a backdrop for this one thought:

...[God's] strength is made perfect in [my] weakness.  

2 Corinthians 12:9 [added]

While this has been a far cry from my "worst day ever," life happened to bring me a day far different than I had planned. And because I know HIM... I can rest in His strength when days just don't turn out the way I wanted.

edited: {not saying I always do rest in this strength, just that I can... and it is blessed}

I pray you can also find rest in His strength when life happens... after you make those plans {smiles}.