Blessings

It's been one of those weeks ...

misunderstandings
hasty words
sick toddlers
(let's just say projectile bodily fluids were a little too common at the beginning of the week)
last minute work emergencies
job changes
messy house
postal mishaps
lack of sleep
... let's stop there, shall we?

Each event by itself wasn't anything huge, but by the time they added up at the end of the week - I was drained. During the holiday season, I find myself wanting even more to be super mom so I was disappointed this week that my efforts just weren't cutting it.

A few articles that I read this week helped put things into perspective for me. Especially this one by Steady Mom. If you are feeling a little frazzled this week - READ IT! It was perfect at the beginning of the week, because it helped me to remember to choose peace over productivity more often. Sometimes my to-do list hovers so close to my face that I miss opportunities to bring peace to my home and to my little ones.

I love this quote from the article,"We're better off getting only one thing done in an atmosphere of peace than crossing off multiple tasks weighing fretfully on our shoulders." Amen sister! So if my single items this week was cleaning up projectile bodily fluids and snuggle sick toddlers - so be it!

Was I perfect at choosing peace, heavens no! But under the circumstances ... I think we took baby steps in the right direction.

I also LOVED this article by Like A Bubbling Brook. New motto - Don't Stir the Crazy Kettle! It made me laugh, but it also made me ponder more deeply how I can bring more peace to family and friend gatherings. Too often I accidently "stir the crazy kettle" with a joking remark or tone of voice not conducive to the positive relationships that I want to have.

The song below has also helped pull me out of the grumpy gutter this week, too. I heard it last year and loved it. Every once and awhile I come across it and it is always a beautiful reminder to look to Him who gives us the greatest joy and strength. It reminds me that the craziness and sleepless nights will mold me into the person I want to be if I humble myself and let them.

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy

What if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise

Here's a link to the youtube video ...
http://youtu.be/pGmKC34UZ68
my video player is so slow ... any ideas on how I can get videos uploaded or shared faster?

What are your favorite sources of inspiration?