I just don’t know how moms do it. There is so much to overwhelm mommies these days, even in days past, that it is so easy to get lost, unfocused, stressed, overworked, or just too busy to even know how to slow down or that they’re going too fast. If you are not a mom yet, then you haven’t experienced this fact, but you will. In the end, “something’s gotta give” as they say. Let me just throw a few out there—things that can overwhelm you if you try and take it all on all the time.
Keeping a clean and orderly house
Homeschool, Private School, Public School
Full time Career, Part-time Job
Keeping Up with Kids’ Recreation
Volunteering
Keeping up with friendships
Keeping a daily Quiet Time
Cooking every day
Preparing Healthy Menus for the Family
Creative Activities for the Kids
Budgeting
Grocery Shopping
Maintaining Good Hygiene and Looks
Disciplining Children
Fostering Spiritual Growth in Children
Exercising
Time Management
Maintaining Personal Goals and Interests
Keeping Clothes Sorted, Seasonal and Size-wise
Keeping a Healthy Marriage
Planning Family Outings/Activities
Keeping up with Birthdays and Holidays
HOW DOES SHE DO IT?? It’s just too much if you ask me. I look at this list, and I may have a handle on one or two. Yet, we are expected to be the experts of them all! I just want to point something out, who is putting these expectations on us? Is it our kids? Our husbands? Our girlfriends? Truthfully, it’s usually ourselves. I will say it over and over again, to myself first, perfection is not the goal. In your list of priorities (and you will always have them), ask yourself what really matters in the end. Because in order to remain sane, you definitely have to let things go at times and learn to say no. Number one on our list should always be God. You and God. That’s it. Seek Him, and ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU. Number two, your husband. Honor and respect him no matter what, through the good and the bad, when he’s right and when he’s wrong, and his love for you will grow, and he will show it to you. Three, your children. When you find yourself spending more time and energy on your kids than your husband, don’t fret. That’s the norm! But, I do feel called by God to put Daddy first, and give him the best of me, not the leftovers. So make sure you’re saving some energy, love and attention for your hubby, and not spending all of yourself on the kiddos. It will keep the household in order, and your kids will benefit from the love you share with one another. Four, your dreams and goals. Putting those after the first three only makes sense. Being fourth, that doesn’t make them not important, because it is extremely important to follow hard after your dreams while parenting, being a wife, etc., etc. It is more imperative than most women realize, I think. And it’s just too easy to let it all go when you’re used to giving of yourself to your “Top 3.” It’s just less important. You’ll figure it all out. But go easy on yourself. Take it slow. Don’t expect too much out of yourself, and take one day at a time. Each time a major life change occurs, just give yourself what I call a “grace period” to act and feel deranged. Everything will feel totally out of whack when changes come. It sounds easy for me to say, but it truly works to just trust in the Lord, let Him be your peace, and rest in Him. Practice a life of worship, and it will all happen in His time. Don’t let yourself be consumed with trying to juggle it all. He will take care of you when you make walking in His Presence your #1. So go have fun!
Dear Sadie.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30:15
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