Most things just don't go according to plan. We plan and plan and plan and when it comes down to it, things go in a completely different direction. It's unavoidable and it happens to everyone. It is a huge cause of frustration and anxiety. The important thing is how we respond to it.
For example, I had been planning for several weeks that I would get a ton of work done yesterday as I had a babysitter and a list of chores to get done that is longer than this quarantine. But, my body decided I would be doing other things. I won't go into specific details about those other things, but I will say that I didn't dare go too far from the bathroom. Enough said? Yeah, I thought so.
As a result, my bathroom didn't get sanitized, my bedroom didn't get cleaned, my workspace didn't get organized, my social media didn't get planned, and my blog post (the one I am currently writing) didn't get written. It was extremely frustrating. I'll admit, it was wonderful to be able to lie in bed all day long while I was sick – a rare "treat?" for someone with young kids. But, I would have much rather spent my day crossing out tasks in my bullet journal. Not to mention, there was about an hour during my rest where my two youngest decided to cuddle with me. Not much cuddling actually goes on with those two and I spent most of the time trying to protect my upset and tender stomach as much as possible. As you can imagine, I didn't succeed very well.
But not all situations are as uncontrollable as that one. Sometimes we have choices. Every morning I wake up at 6:00 am so that I can do a few minutes of Yoga, drink a bottle of water, and do my devotions before the girls get up. It's my "me-time". One particular morning there was a huge storm outside and the girls came running out of their room at 6:30 am searching for comfort. What did I do? My kids are important but so is my morning quiet time, right?
Well, my response is very different in both cases but similar in one very important way. First, the differences. In the first example, I rested and realized that I could get my work done later. Life can't always wait but neither can my health. I wrote about my frustrations in my journal and made more plans to get those tasks done another day. I asked my husband for help so that I could get things done after he got home. I made it work because my family and my work are both important to me. In the second example, I made the most of the time I was given with my family. Not that long ago I would have gotten frustrated and let that frustration show in my face and come out in my voice. But now, I cherish those small moments. Seamus, who was getting ready to leave for work, sat down on the couch with us and we all watched the storm together. We cuddled and enjoyed God's creation, the calm and the incredible. I took the time to fit in an extra devotion with the kids so that they would focus on God and hopefully learn to go to him in times of trouble and worry. I didn't rush it or look at the clock wondering when I could get back to more me-time. I simply enjoyed the time with my children. Then, when they were calm and the storm was passed, I sent them back to bed to wait for their clock to change (there clock changes from yellow to green at a designated time so they know they are allowed to come out). Once they were safely tucked in bed (or not so quietly playing with every toy they owned...), I resumed my own quiet time. I didn't feel like I missed out on anything. I didn't feel stressed or rushed. If anything, I felt like I gained something special. I was given a gift in the storm.
The similarities in both cases were that I went to God. I quietly sat there and prayed. I devoted time to God and asked that he would heal my body so that I could get back to life and that he would comfort my children so that they could get back to sleep. This isn't my natural reaction. It is a choice I have to consciously make every time I get upset or worried. In those times I think of one of my favorite Bible verses.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
How incredible is this verse? It says that we can give everything and anything to God. We just need to learn to let go. That's not easy, is it? But the more we practice it, the better we get at it. The more we do it, the faster it becomes a habit.
As a parent, I can't express enough how important I think this verse is to memorize. As parents, we will suffer many worries and anxieties. Both of my examples were pretty minor ones, but this is just as important for the major ones too. If we can just learn to do what this verse says, to give our worries to God, we will have confidence like no other. Better than that, people (including our children) will see how we respond in stressful situations and will see Christ through our actions. What more could we ask for?
I didn't expect this blog post to become a devotional, but this topic has been on my mind and heart for some time now and I felt compelled to share it. I hope it is encouraging to you as a parent. And even if you are not a Christian or a parent, I hope you can walk away from this still encouraged. It has taken me years to come this far and I still have far to go. But, friend...every stumble and stubbed toe is worth the lessons that they teach me and I only pray that they can help others too.
What do you think? Have you memorized Philippians 4:6-7? What's your favorite verse to pull up when you are worried or struggling?
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