Sometimes I have so much on my mind, I don’t know where to begin and so I stall. Next thing you know, the day is over and nothing on my long list was completed.
My main job for almost seven years now is stay-at-home mom. The kids have been my priority and so most of what I do daily is take care of them: Wake them up in the morning, get their breakfast on the table, make their lunches, drop them off at school, run some errands, pick them up, take them to after school programs, help them with homework, get dinner ready, spend ten meaningful minutes with each of them, read bedtime stories, pray with them, tuck them into bed, tidy up and fold laundry… before I finally get some me time. But I am sure I am not alone in this and many moms can relate.
This is the hardest job I’ve ever had. As a professional, I have had tough deadlines to meet, difficult people to work with, and long hours. But as a mom, I’ve got two little people and one big one (Dude) who vie for my attention constantly. They don’t call to make appointments to see when I am available to see them. I have to manage everyone’s busy schedule and make sure everyone is where they need to be. I can’t just set up a Google calendar and expect them to fill in their own agendas and go to all their appointments (yet). I want my children to be passionate, caring, God-loving people, so that takes effort and time to teach them. I can’t just send them a memo and expect things to be completed and I can’t fire them for not performing.
In recent months, I have been building up my platform. I’ve been documenting my recipes, taking photos and writing content for my blog. Since I’m not naturally a writer, it’s been hard to stay motivated and often I am hit with writer’s block. But I know if I am to do this, I need to keep writing.
Here is one thing that keeps me going. At a women’s conference several years ago, a speaker said something that resonates with me to this day. She said,
[quote]The days are l-o-n-g but the years are short.[/quote]
How many of you can relate to that?
This quote helps me to treasure the little moments in my hectic day and it motivates me to work hard at what I’m doing because the years are short. I don’t want to look back in a short fifteen years and wonder what I have done with my life and wonder how my children all of the sudden became adults. I want to enjoy the whole journey.
I woke up this morning completely overwhelmed but I am thankful for a God who hears my prayers and lifts up my burdens.
[quote]Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ~ Matthew 11:28-29[/quote]
Do you ever feel overwhelmed?