I never want to come across (especially to my children) that the fullness in my life is a bad thing. That the overflowing blessings of marriage and children and friendship and just life in general should be viewed as negative or unwelcome.
A thing that warrants a large sigh and a roll of my eyes because "I'm just soooo busy." *insert dramatic flair with tossing of hair and popping of hip*
I sincerely see the fullness of my life as a true blessing. And I want my girls to know that because I want them to naturally adopt that perspective.
Because let's face it. It IS all about perspective, isn't it?
Some people look at the outward circumstances of my life (or a life set up like mine: Stay-at-home homeschooling mom with multiple young children) and
While I've had others look at my present circumstances and confess envy.
It never ceases to amaze me how people can experience the same event...hear the same conversation or comment...see the same picture...and yet, leave with polar opposite interpretations.
I always say that there are three sides to EVERY story: Theirs. Mine. and God's.
Man, I want HIS outlook. But I digress...
A while back, a friend of mine asked how I was able to make it through the day with four little ones (and one on the way) with my sanity and joy in tact.
I had to smile because I was rather tempted to look behind me to see who she was talking to. I have my days, trust me. ;)
Had she asked me just a few days before, my answer may have been different than the one I gave. BUT the day before she posed this question, I had the opportunity to be with a group of moms: One mom who openly admitted she doesn't possess much patience. And another mom who is, by sheer observation, as laid back as they come.
And man, if my eyes weren't opened to a little thing called Perspective!!
I found myself drawn to the laid-back Mom and so wanted to emulate her attitude. Because when given the exact same situation, the two women responded in completely opposite manners. One creating "smooth" and the other creating "stress".
not just for their children, but for everyone present.
The stressed out mom had less children. She talked about her children like they weren't there. publicly defining their flaws and her frustrations with them. She went on about the inconvenience of what could happen in a particular situation we were all facing. A situation that was yet to occur...and most likely never would (it didn't).
The easy going Mom had lots of kiddos...one being a tired newborn. She shrugged off the 'potential situation' and said "What's the worst that can happen?" She laughed and smiled and put everyone at ease with her joyful spirit.
And by just maintaining a spirit of joy, she was creating it. while inadvertently teaching her children (who were present the entire time) to embrace life in the same manner.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Proverbs 15:13
The two women were like night and day. The atmospheres they carried with them were tangibly different. As I sat back and watched, I was in awe.
I so want to work on being the easy-going one. especially in the face of situations that don't cater to my comfort.
You know, the times that it really matters.
Life comes at us all. bringing new
It's just all in the perspective I intentionally carry.
The way I embrace the gift in the moment. The way I choose to perceive that which Christ has put before me. The amount of time I waste in whining over my inability to live the life so-and-so has VS. the amount of time I invest in shouting praising for all He has graciously given ME.
All of which sounds incredibly easy to accomplish, but I'm finding can take surprising effort. especially in the midst of certain discomforts. I happen to like comfy-cozy and all.
So to answer my friend's question on how I make it through the day with my sanity and joy in tact? Well, besides the fact that I don't always make it to the end with an honest smile...
I CHOOSE Joy, over and over and over again. It's my intentional goal to CHOOSE it. And in effect, creating it. just like my laid-back fun-loving momma-girlfriends.
Because when all is said and done at the end of the day, the very bottom line is this:
I want my husband and daughters to be able to honestly say "Man, I love being with her!" Regardless of what happens to be going on around us.
