Friday, June 3, 2011

Utter Failure


Today is one of those days whereupon, the end, makes me thankful. Thankful it is over. And that tomorrow will be fresh. New. Because His mercies are new. Every. Morning.

This whole chore thing is rocking my world. I am LOVING it! Yesterday the children dusted and vacuumed our bedroom. Sweet. I'm having to let some things go...they don't do it exactly like I would.


I am SO okay with that. Chores aren't new around here, but making the time to properly train and follow up is. Summer is proving to be the perfect time to really work on these skills. 


By fall, I hope to issue a command and watch as they scurry to do my bidding. I tease. A little.

But really, it is such a welcome relief to have a little bit of the weight of these domestic chores lifted from my shoulders. Speaking of weight lifted...the children CLOSED THE GATE on their own this afternoon! Since getting Warrior, any trip away from home requires opening and or closing our old gate to get the car in and out. This afternoon, the children closed and properly secured the gate. HALLELUJAH!!!! That made me SOOOOOO HAPPY! Two years of this EVERY time I've left the house and now, THEY CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!!! How very sweet it is.


As for the rest of today, it has been an utter failure. One meltdown after another. It began with breakfast and fighting over who got which color umbrella toothpick. Puh-lease. The fact that you were eating breakfast with an umbrella toothpick says enough.


And then for some completely ridiculous idea, last night I decided we'd pull out the paints and canvases today and make masterpieces. Only, there were arguments over who got which color and why he got more paint than she did, and "if I can't have such and such then I just can't do my project," etc.


I lost my patience and yelled.

I had just read Philippians 2:14 to them and told them I wanted that verse to inspire their paintings. 

Know what that verse says?

"Do all things without grumbling or complaining that you may be pure and blameless children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the Universe as you hold out the word of life..."


Yeah, I'm shining like a crooked and depraved Mama! I turned my back long enough to strain the chicken broth - like one minute, maybe. And they were all hands IN the paint.


And I was not cool. I ordered them out to the backyard and hosed them off, had 'em strip on the back steps, and marched back in and put everything away and told myself I'd never do this again.

And then I sent them upstairs to clean their rooms and the playroom and called my neighbor (who is older and much wiser) and told her I had failed utterly and that I am raising the most selfish and ungrateful children in the world. And she offered encouragement. And I got a little perspective.


And you see what they were doing this afternoon. So. Cool. In. Her. Shades. Little Bit wants in on EVERYTHING Sister and Little Man do. Sister taped an earring to her ear. So Little Bit copped some tape and slapped it across her face. Overnight life has gone from two and a baby to three little people in our house. Aside from the fact that I cannot seem to get a leg up on the fight against my sinful flesh, these ages and days are incredibly fun. Usually.


Oh to be a fly on the wall. I wish you'd seen what Sister had on earlier. I'm working on a little project and ran out of painter's tape. There's a paint store just down the road. I told the children to get dressed so we could make a quick run. Upon arrival, Sister came crawling out of the car in one of her creations. Fabric tied together, to make a dress of sorts. I stifled a smile and kept my composure. I can't wait to see what God has in store for her.

Here's to fighting the good fight and running the race with endurance!

Happy Weekend!

9 comments:

  1. You are precious! Remember that the LORD is gracious and gives us daily all we need. Remember too that children are very forgiving! How wonderful it is!! Praying for you....hang in there!

    Much Love,
    Camille (Psalm 46)

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  2. I am so with you with the chores! I'm over it being done just as I would do it. I figure, it's cleaner than it was before!

    Run the race, girl!

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  3. I have to be totally honest. One of the things that kept popping into my head as we decided whether or not to stop at just one was "If there is only one, there will be no blaming and bickering over silly things." So selfish, I know, but there it is. :)

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  4. You are awesome, J. So honest and real. I can totally relate to everything you wrote. Especially the frustration. Just keep on keepin' on. Those children love you so much, and you are doing a GREAT job with them. They are sweet and precious!

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  5. So proud of you that you are taking the time to teach your children how to help you. It\ will be so worth it.

    I've had so many days like that. I end up yelling and I think "there but for the grace of God go I". We are moms, sometimes we yell. You did good letting them do a project like that. I wouldn't touch that paint with my kids with a ten foot pole! LOL!

    Hang in there! You are an awesome mom!

    Love you!

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  6. I thought that I was the one raising the most selfish and ungrateful children on the planet!!! :)

    I have these days more often than I would care to mention. The "goodness" I gain from that quiet time in the morning seems to wear off by 10:00 a.m. on a good day. I've been reading a book that has really been encouraging to me. It's main point is simple. PRAY. ALL the time. Because you are so stinking sinful. I'm getting the message loud and clear. :)

    These days are sadly inevitable. Praise God for blessings and strength and grace that is new and fresh, for slates wiped clean and children with short term memories! And most especially for a God who delights to bring beauty out of weakness and masterpieces out of messes. You and your children are beautiful and becoming more and more so daily. Glad to be running the race alongside of you!

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  7. me too. me too. : ) Came across the following post yesterday and thought of you:
    http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2011/06/02/the-pitfall-of-perfectionism/
    {{{{hugs}}}}, my friend! We are in process and there is grace~ abundant grace!

    BTW, *love* your perspective, photographically, of life there. You do a great job capturing life with your camera!

    Praying for you....

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  8. Hey girl, I saw your mom at a wedding Saturday night. She looked great! We had a wonderful time catching up with each other & sharing about our girls and their families. I told her I often read your blog & I have loved being able to know a little of what's going on in ya'll's lives. What a blessing. Talking with your mom brought back so many memories of you & Hillary when you were such precious little girls & now you are grown women with families of your own. What a godly young woman you have grown into. Reading your blog blesses my life. Keep up the good work (and don't stress about the days you feel you just didn't "get it right." You will remember this day far longer than those precious children). May God bless you as your words have blessed so many others!!!! Paula Kelly (Hillary's mom)

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  9. For what it's worth, dear friend, you encourage me with your failures because I'm bumbling around just as crooked and depraved as you.

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