In the midst
Summer is quickly coming to an end (even though here in Oklahoma it doesn't feel like it). Can I get a roudy "whohoo!!!!" from all the parents out there:~) You know it is too hot when red wasps- which, let's be honest, must come from the pit of HELL- fall in mid flight to their death. Now THAT'S hot! I feel like I should erect a marquee in front of our home that says:
With it being so hot outside the temperature of emotions also has been rising in our house. I am easily angered (and yes I know the word says to not be "easily angered":), my children are even more easily frustrated with me and with each other and sharing isn't nearly as fun with the "sharing song" being sung as it was two months ago. I find myself needing more coffee to make it through the day- I find myself needing more workout time to get rid of frustration but it is too hot to get out and exercise so then I get frustrated with not getting to do that..... do you see the cycle that just seems to be starting. Can I get an "Amen"?
My two oldest children are counting down the days (and quite possibly the seconds) till they get to jump out of the car and spend the first day at school with their new classmates and new teachers. I am counting down the days till I can clean my house and throw away those summer toys that I knew I shouldn't have purchased when I saw them being scanned at the Target checkout stand. Oh yes, and my youngest- well, he has no clue how his world is about to change as he will be the only one home with "MOMMY" this year!
I look at our calendar and realize that the old saying is quite true- enjoy these days because they just go by faster and faster (or whatever that old saying is- my coffee is wearing off). We have very few weeks in the coming months that have a clear and open evening where everyone will be home. I am beginning to breathe deeply and prepare myself (and my coffee stash) for this school year.
You are probably thinking, "ok, the heat has gotten to her- where is she going with this?" The reality of it all- I have friends that have older children that are involved in sports, drama, dance, etc and are about to pull their hair out trying to figure out how to get everyone everywhere at the same time. I have friends who have lost children and would love to look at their calendars and see them full of activities. I have friends who are frustrated with their husbands and or wives because of the typical reasons of checking accounts being overdrawn, dirty laundry not making it to the hamper, etc. I also have friends who have been left behind by their spouses- either by divorce or death- who would love to experience a mere second of frustration with that person again.
Our lives can so drastically change in an instance and we have to be ready for what is thrown at us. As women it can be a little tricky because, let's face it girls, more often than not- we juggle so many different things it's a miracle that we even leave the house with matching shoes on ( I have friends that have actually left with shoes that don't match- you know who you are if you are reading this:)! Sometimes our days are so full of joy that we can't stop smiling and telling everyone about what is going on and how "blessed" we are- we even post about it on your social media website of choice! And then, there are days that we are so broken and tired and overheated that we wouldn't dare let someone know so we still post about how "blessed we are.....in storm"- then, we close the laptop and cry in silence by ourselves wishing there was someone there to comfort us. We have all been there- I'm just being real for a second.
You just never know when life will heat up or when it will cool down so you have to have a closet that is full of various items from various seasons to do a quick change if necessary. The hard part is realizing that you don't have to live in the closet of "blessed" and wonder when it will change seasons so you can hide out in public in the big coat you have been saving in the back.
I ran across a verse recently that gave me some sense of security as I glanced at our families up and coming months of pta, triathlons, marathons, exercise classes, bible studies, volunteer opportunities, book fairs, well, you get the picture. Here it is:
So, I guess, as Martina McBride sang so well and so proud- "This one's for the girls!" Ladies- stand up, walk in the grace He has given you. Let his strength pour over you and don't be afraid to be real with someone. Now, I'm not telling you to tell everyone on your Facebook page how terribly sad and depressed you are but get a support group of women who can be there when your right in the middle of receiving your "blessing in the storm." God is right in the midst of you and everything that is going on around you. When the temperature of life reaches 114 degrees- He is there.....in the midst of it all.
Sometimes I wish I could be more like our sweet Alex. Her name means "defender of mankind" and her middle name, which is Marie (after my grandmother Dolly Marie) essentially means "hot headed". She is the one who exhibits her emotions most freely and encourages her brothers to do so as well (trying to be as p.c. as I can be so this doesn't bite me later in life when she reads this). She is a very liberated young girl- how fitting, right?
"Attention neighborhood- yes, you did hear my children squealing in our backyard this morning at 7:00 a.m.- and until the average daily temperature falls below 110 degrees you can thank me for filling your morning with laughter and joy. Enjoy a cup of Starbucks on your morning commute."
With it being so hot outside the temperature of emotions also has been rising in our house. I am easily angered (and yes I know the word says to not be "easily angered":), my children are even more easily frustrated with me and with each other and sharing isn't nearly as fun with the "sharing song" being sung as it was two months ago. I find myself needing more coffee to make it through the day- I find myself needing more workout time to get rid of frustration but it is too hot to get out and exercise so then I get frustrated with not getting to do that..... do you see the cycle that just seems to be starting. Can I get an "Amen"?
My two oldest children are counting down the days (and quite possibly the seconds) till they get to jump out of the car and spend the first day at school with their new classmates and new teachers. I am counting down the days till I can clean my house and throw away those summer toys that I knew I shouldn't have purchased when I saw them being scanned at the Target checkout stand. Oh yes, and my youngest- well, he has no clue how his world is about to change as he will be the only one home with "MOMMY" this year!
I look at our calendar and realize that the old saying is quite true- enjoy these days because they just go by faster and faster (or whatever that old saying is- my coffee is wearing off). We have very few weeks in the coming months that have a clear and open evening where everyone will be home. I am beginning to breathe deeply and prepare myself (and my coffee stash) for this school year.
You are probably thinking, "ok, the heat has gotten to her- where is she going with this?" The reality of it all- I have friends that have older children that are involved in sports, drama, dance, etc and are about to pull their hair out trying to figure out how to get everyone everywhere at the same time. I have friends who have lost children and would love to look at their calendars and see them full of activities. I have friends who are frustrated with their husbands and or wives because of the typical reasons of checking accounts being overdrawn, dirty laundry not making it to the hamper, etc. I also have friends who have been left behind by their spouses- either by divorce or death- who would love to experience a mere second of frustration with that person again.
Our lives can so drastically change in an instance and we have to be ready for what is thrown at us. As women it can be a little tricky because, let's face it girls, more often than not- we juggle so many different things it's a miracle that we even leave the house with matching shoes on ( I have friends that have actually left with shoes that don't match- you know who you are if you are reading this:)! Sometimes our days are so full of joy that we can't stop smiling and telling everyone about what is going on and how "blessed" we are- we even post about it on your social media website of choice! And then, there are days that we are so broken and tired and overheated that we wouldn't dare let someone know so we still post about how "blessed we are.....in storm"- then, we close the laptop and cry in silence by ourselves wishing there was someone there to comfort us. We have all been there- I'm just being real for a second.
You just never know when life will heat up or when it will cool down so you have to have a closet that is full of various items from various seasons to do a quick change if necessary. The hard part is realizing that you don't have to live in the closet of "blessed" and wonder when it will change seasons so you can hide out in public in the big coat you have been saving in the back.
I ran across a verse recently that gave me some sense of security as I glanced at our families up and coming months of pta, triathlons, marathons, exercise classes, bible studies, volunteer opportunities, book fairs, well, you get the picture. Here it is:
"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when the morning comes (with or without Starbucks in hand)" Psalm 46:5 ESV (mixed with a little KRV:)
So, I guess, as Martina McBride sang so well and so proud- "This one's for the girls!" Ladies- stand up, walk in the grace He has given you. Let his strength pour over you and don't be afraid to be real with someone. Now, I'm not telling you to tell everyone on your Facebook page how terribly sad and depressed you are but get a support group of women who can be there when your right in the middle of receiving your "blessing in the storm." God is right in the midst of you and everything that is going on around you. When the temperature of life reaches 114 degrees- He is there.....in the midst of it all.
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