Sunday, July 01, 2007

Sometimes...


...we just get tired:)


Last night, we got a sitter for our 2 youngest ones, Lily and Ayden (2 and 15mo). We took Brianna and Anjolie with us to a restaurant out in town along with another couple who we wanted to invite to church (PTL they went). Little Anjolie, 4, was so tired, the poor little thing has a difficult time anyway and then, she did not have time for a nap- so that was just adding fuel to the fire. No matter how many times I spoke with her, begged her, corrected her, prayed for her...she just would not stop whining and fussing and doing other things that tired little 4 year olds do when they have missed their naps, are hungry and out past bed time for the second night in a row. Seems like a "DUH" situation huh? Yes, it was. I am a wiser mama for it, and I will make every effort to not put her in a losing situation like that again. My heart just broke as the little thing fell asleep sitting up in the van surrounded by noise and chatter (we all rode together) her little thumb half hanging out of her mouth and evident circles under her little closed eyes. The poor thing just needed some rest!! She had been pushed way past her little human limit.


As I laid in bed thinking over the night and asking forgiveness for my irritation over the sleepy little thing not being able to act like an 8 year old ;) I thought of how many times I do the same thing to myself (yes, and act like an 8 eight year old lol) and then wonder what went wrong-why did I lose it?. I felt the Lord was showing me that I am of no use to anybody if I don't have the proper balance in my life...if I run myself ragged all day and then expect to be fresh and pleasant for my husband and children..well, that is just foolish. I'm not talking about doing things the Lord has called me to do and relying on His strength to do it... I'm talking about some of the extras like sitting in the sun all day at the pool 2 days in a row after 2 days of helping to clean the church, Ladies' visitation, Bible study, Thursday visitation ...etc you get the idea..another duh situation ;). My folly includes doing favors for friends that aren't necessary, but drain alot of time and energy because I want their favor, not because I took it to the Lord- who pays for that? My family and I pay the price! I'm talking about breaching boundaries that have been and need to be in place so that I can better serve my Lord and the family He has given me. If I am worn out and tired day after day, failing test after test (mostly in patience with my kids) well, maybe I'm just tired -because of the "things", that are not necessities, which have leaked past the boundaries that are meant to preserve my strength and focus for my first ministries. It is easy to slip into "doing it all"...pride helps it along, fear of man, or sometimes just trial and error in keeping the balance between ministries, keeping home, hospitality etc... When I am just plain tired, I need to examine my plate, and ask the Lord to show me what His idea of "full" is. His yoke is easy and His burden light, when I do things according to His will and in His strength :) I hope this made sense!! :)

9 comments:

Ashleigh Baker said...

Amen a million times over!! Couldn't have said it better. I'm right there with ya. :) What a balance it is, figuring out some of this stuff... but God is so good. He shows us that it's really just about HIM... just about Jesus, and that if we truly follow what HE would have us do each day (not caving in to fear of man, our own ideas of where our "worth" comes from, etc) then we'll be "full" according to His will. His yoke IS easy and His burden IS light, because He gives enough strength to carry the load... it's when we take on more than He had for us that it gets to be too much. HUGS Love you!

Heather said...

((hug)) Ash, I knew you would hear my heart. :) Love you!

Liz said...

Heather, I wish I had some really eloquent way to say how I feel about you...but my Tennessee public education brain just doesn't function that way. :) I admire you so much! You are such an inspiration and blessing to me. You are such a sweet lady! (((hugs)))

Heather said...

Liz, everyone who gets to know you feels the same way about you my dear...you are just so sweet an thoughtful. Imagine how much more our heavenly Father is! Love you...and you are such an encouragement.

abrightnewdawn said...

This made TOO MUCH sense, Heather!! Amen to all of it!! And HELLO to you!! I miss being out here in internet wonderland, hoping to be more regular pretty soon!

Heather said...

((HUG)) Dawn...so nice to hear from you!! :) Hope you are doing well!! Hug that new little one for me :)

Grafted Branch said...

Great thoughts! I once babysat for a friend in need--twice. One time was ordained of the Lord and one was not. I could tell the difference when all was done and I try to remember that as I commit myself to works of service.

Mishel said...

What a great post Heather! It reminded me of a similar conversation you and I had in the nursery once (maybe more than once?!LOL). It's such a process isn't it? And it's something I'm still trying to figure out myself--but you hit the the nail on the head regarding pride, fear of man, ect...being the root of why we get out of balance. God is so good isn't He? He is so patient with us and I am so thankful for that! : ) Love you!

Anna said...

Hi Heather! I found your blog site through Pam's site. I have been reading some your blogs. I am so amazed to see that some of your struggles are mine as well. Maybe having 4 kids have something to do with it. Ha,ha!! I don't know!! I do know that our LORD will never leave us or forsake us. Even in the midst of chaos he is there to pick us up, if we just ask. Isn't that awesome!! I am thankful that we are His children and rejoicing in knowing that He is coming back for us one day. Take Care!
Love,
Anna Labit