I've spent the better part of the day feeling depressed and discontent due to the fact that my house isn't clean and magazine perfect.
It's easy to fall into the trap of envy and jealousy when you walk into another woman's home and see everything that's missing, or so you think, from your own. That happened to me this morning. I had to visit a woman's home that I'd never been to before. As I drove down her street past the huge expensive houses I could feel my confidence waning and the green eyed monster on the rise. Much to my chagrin I walked into her beautiful house only to find not a thing out of place. Not a dust mite to be seen. Not a stray hair out of place. And to top off the sundae of my despair she has THREE KIDS, just. like. me. Oof.
When I walked back to my meager 1999 van I was feeling pretty low. I wanted very much to dislike her because she had everything I've ever wanted. But I just couldn't. She was too sweet and too loving to my kids. I know for a fact she works her tail off for everything she has. I couldn't hate her. So I was left with hating myself for not keeping up what I did have to my standards.
I got back to my humble abode and looked around. Dishes piled by the sink. Laundry overflowing like lava from a volcano out of the hamper. Toys everywhere like Geoffrey the Giraffe threw up in my living room. Walked into my dining room to see that JoAnn Fabrics got the tummy bug in there. I sat back down on my couch and felt super sorry for myself for a good long time.
Then I prayed. I prayed for God to ease my jealousy and to show me the blessings I already possess. I asked Him to clear the cobwebs out of my heart and help me to see what was right in front of me. Then it happened. One by one I looked at my healthy kids. My loyal Husband. My working van who gets us from point A to B every day. And my lovely home. Sure we are all a little messy, but there is love here. Instead of slaving over house work this weekend I enjoyed these people. I let them shake loose and let go for a couple of days after a long hard week. I feel like a good mom for doing that once in awhile.
After that I started to really get to thinking. What the hell right do I have to complain about the state of my house while I'm sitting on my rumpshaker?! So I turned the TV off gave everybody a job and we got to work. I can tell you that the house doesn't look perfect tonight, but there's progress. And there's hope. And there's a family living here who's happy. And that's enough for me.
It's easy to fall into the trap of envy and jealousy when you walk into another woman's home and see everything that's missing, or so you think, from your own. That happened to me this morning. I had to visit a woman's home that I'd never been to before. As I drove down her street past the huge expensive houses I could feel my confidence waning and the green eyed monster on the rise. Much to my chagrin I walked into her beautiful house only to find not a thing out of place. Not a dust mite to be seen. Not a stray hair out of place. And to top off the sundae of my despair she has THREE KIDS, just. like. me. Oof.
When I walked back to my meager 1999 van I was feeling pretty low. I wanted very much to dislike her because she had everything I've ever wanted. But I just couldn't. She was too sweet and too loving to my kids. I know for a fact she works her tail off for everything she has. I couldn't hate her. So I was left with hating myself for not keeping up what I did have to my standards.
I got back to my humble abode and looked around. Dishes piled by the sink. Laundry overflowing like lava from a volcano out of the hamper. Toys everywhere like Geoffrey the Giraffe threw up in my living room. Walked into my dining room to see that JoAnn Fabrics got the tummy bug in there. I sat back down on my couch and felt super sorry for myself for a good long time.
Then I prayed. I prayed for God to ease my jealousy and to show me the blessings I already possess. I asked Him to clear the cobwebs out of my heart and help me to see what was right in front of me. Then it happened. One by one I looked at my healthy kids. My loyal Husband. My working van who gets us from point A to B every day. And my lovely home. Sure we are all a little messy, but there is love here. Instead of slaving over house work this weekend I enjoyed these people. I let them shake loose and let go for a couple of days after a long hard week. I feel like a good mom for doing that once in awhile.
After that I started to really get to thinking. What the hell right do I have to complain about the state of my house while I'm sitting on my rumpshaker?! So I turned the TV off gave everybody a job and we got to work. I can tell you that the house doesn't look perfect tonight, but there's progress. And there's hope. And there's a family living here who's happy. And that's enough for me.
Love this :)
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