It starts the moment I rouse from sleep. My mind and body have to be up and running even before my morning coffee is made. The chaos of a large family with several littles greets me right away. Sometimes it’s joyful, happy chaos. Other times it’s screaming, unhappy, tattling, or a huge mess kind of chaos. How do you ENJOY this life of chaos?? The key is keeping perspective. But HOW??
In all honesty, it’s a constant struggle for me right now. I’m in the trenches, and will be for quite a while. I have 2 teenage daughters…and that equals lots of attitude, emotions, and frequent outbursts. In addition to those sweet girls, I have 3 little boys ages 6 and under. And I’m expecting my newborn baby girl in the next 6-7 weeks. My 1 year old boy has special needs as we were surprised at birth with a Downs Syndrome diagnosis. He’s the absolute SWEETEST, but he does have some challenges we have to navigate.
I never leave this lovely bunch of blessings either. I homeschool all of them. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being a stay at home and homeschooling momma. It’s the joy of my life. But it does get to be a bit much every waking moment of every day. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, but I do have to intentionally keep perspective to enjoy it fully.
The laundry runs constantly.
The dishes are unending.
The cooking never stops. I’m planning the next one while we’re eating the one I just made.
The teaching and reminding are round the clock.
The mental, emotional, and physical fatigue are real.
The chauffering and organizing where everyone should be takes living by my calendar.
BUT…
I have a washer and dryer that work MOST of the time. And we are blessed with clothes to wear and sheets to sleep on.
We have plenty of food to eat. Way more than we need to be honest.
I have a stove, oven, toaster, microwave, and grill to use when making meals. And we have to means to buy all the food we want. Not to mention, a large and loving family to share those meals with.
I’m blessed with these children I prayed for to be able to disciple and teach. I live in a country where I can choose to school them myself and know exactly what is being poured into them.
I have a cozy bed to fall into at night when the exhaustion reaches it’s max and all the littles are asleep. Not to mention a sweet husband who shares this responsibility to lay next to each night.
And the chauffeuring…I’ll miss it when the driver’s licenses are acquired. I’m already learning that with my 2 oldest girls. I feel like I don’t see them near enough now that they are more independent and don’t need me for everything.
The key for me, and I know it will work for you, is to start the day every day with gratitude. I thank God for the blessed chaos I’m about to walk into. I ask for His help and wisdom to make it through each moment that day with the right attitude and perspective. I need His guidance to disciple each individual human He gives me the privilege to raise. Only God knows how He made them and what they need.
Do I miss it and mess up? YES! And often. But I’m writing this to help you, because it’s what’s God’s speaking to me to help myself each day.
Our job is SO important. I’ve worked in a grocery store, as a dental assistant, as a substitute public school teacher, as a 3rd grade public school teacher, and as a children’s pastor at a large church. And I am convinced that none of those compare to the importance of what I teach and do within the 4 walls of my home with my own children. Let’s not forget in the middle of the mess and nonstop work that feels so insignificant in the daily mundane that we are shaping people. We are leaving a legacy and forming memories every single day.
I’ll pray for you, and you pray for me. God will help us not only do what feels so overwhelming, but teach us to enjoy and savor it if we only seek Him. Let’s pray before we leave.
Father God,
Thank you for this beautiful, mess, imperfect life. Remind us of our blessings. Remind us of the big picture…what our purposes are, what we’re forming, and teach us how to do it with joy. We pray for energy and the right attitudes as we face each day ahead. We pray for a constant perspective that matches yours.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
