but I really want to sometimes.
We have on average 5-6 mornings a week when we sit down for breakfast as a family (Sundays we eat and go to church in shifts depending on who's serving that day) and I think 3-4 out of 6 days someone spills their milk/cereal/drink/yogurt. This week we're 2 for 2 so far.
Our mornings can be chaotic...someone can't find socks, didn't finish homework the night before, is out of lunch money, throws a fit at the table, needs a paper signed, needs a pumpkin/costume/stuffed animal, needs some coaching on their attitude...
I know I should prepare for school mornings the night before. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I'm too tired or I was out late with people or I forgot what we needed or I just...didn't.
I don't know why I expect things to go perfectly. And that's really what it comes down to. My expectations. I wake up early, pray for the atmosphere of our home, for our attitudes to be right, our motives pure. Then I expect my prayers to work like magic and thwart off any arguments, stresses, dirty looks, last minute somethings, accidental spills. I am actually thrown off when we don't have a peaceful morning full of worship and scripture and hugs and lots of love.
Well, the love is always there. But sometimes I have to stop and breathe to give it the attention it deserves.
Life is life. We live in a fallen world with all it's irritable imperfections.
And I have to remind myself that my kids are in training...
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Are there areas in which I'm still being trained? Yes, of course. So, why do I expect that if I've corrected the same poor behavior twice...three times...17 times my child will never struggle with that issue again?
It's all about expectations and seeing these things as normal life, rather than as surprising disruptions to the perfection I long for and envision.
Tomorrow we will do it all again. There is joy to be found in the hashing it out, in the going the extra mile, in the diving into these incredible relationships the Lord has blessed me with. I will choose to lean into the struggle and maybe see how God is training *me* through these beautiful, sometimes hectic, mornings...
"Lean into the struggle." Amen. You're a rockstar and amazing mother. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteno one told us about this...that's why we went ahead and had kids! yes, i have had many mornings like yours. i can so relate - where's my homework, i need to take cupcakes today, where's the permission slip, i am missing a shoe, i need $100 for soccer, my keys are missing. the days will pass and all you will remember are the love and hugs and that there was SOME chaos. God is good and teaches us through every season in our lives, not just our childhood. I love you girl.
ReplyDeleteOur expectations make all the difference in the world. I cannot imagine how I would handle a family as large as yours. I admire you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog...if you ever want to come on mission trip down here just let us know!
Alida
Funny that this is the first post I read on your blog! I just finished writing one for Friday called "The Morning Demons Visited".
ReplyDeleteAnd your family is beautiful, by the way!