Take a T-O

We're coming into a period here of slowing down, slowing way down.  I've had a few little "pricks" from the Holy Spirit, lately, in this regard.

For instance, as I've mentioned, we've been dealing with about 2 months of varying sicknesses and injuries.  At the end of it all, my general feeling is this: I am so weary of wiping butts! One of the "varying sicknesses" included enduring long weeks of diarrhea for both of my children. This was a small trial for me. It was like they were on an alternating schedule. Practically every half hour, I could be found in the bathroom wiping one or the other child's rear end and/or rinsing out soiled clothes, sheets, etc. And washing my hands.

So, my patience, I'm noticing, has been worn very thin and I have allowed myself a very short, impatient fuse. Apparently I need the Lord to do a work of renewing my mind. I realized this after I snapped at my 2 year old when I found her trying with all her little might to wipe herself and holding a very soiled wad of toilet paper in her fingers and trying to shove it back down the front. "Caiden! Sick!" I cried. She jumped a little and hurriedly pushed the offensive object into the toilet bowl and that's when I knew. My poor baby, just trying to be a big girl and she finds herself feeling ashamed. Lord, forgive me.

That's just one instance. Another one is just taking the time to talk and answer questions with my older boy.  Not only these things, but also the Lord has been removing outside responsibilities from my life as well. So, I think I'm starting to get the picture. Slow down. Relax.

While putting the kids in bed tonight, I realized how much I've been rushing them off to bed and getting frustrated that they just keep needing stuff.  So, instead of doing that, I just sprawled flat on my back in between my two kids' beds and relaxed while letting Caiden take 2 or 3 turns to pray and rattle on and on and on.  It was nice once I was able to slow way down.

So, I think I'm going to make a few changes.

1) Prayerfully conquer this impatient spirit

2) Start the kids' bed routine earlier like at 7 instead of 8 so that they have plenty of time to...do whatever it is that they do for an hour while I'm trying to get them in bed.

Uh, mainly just those two things for now, I guess. I was hoping to make a list, but that will have to do for now. Two conscious changes and I think it will be huge.


Moral: never get so set on a track or course of action that it causes detriment to the really important things in life, the things you  really ought to be doing. Stop and smell the roses.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:1,2