Books read & each boy is in a different room for sleep or quiet.
I walk out of one room that looks like this…
Before I head downstairs I see this…
When I get downstairs I’m greeted by this…
As I walk into the kitchen one more duty presents itself…
The weight of duties feels heavy. Then I remember…there are always going to be rooms to clean, toys on the ground, laundry to fold, dishes to put away.
But quiet, uninterrupted quiet, in the middle of the day. This is a treasure.
My friend advised me a few years ago to not waste this treasure to clean what will be destroyed when the boys emerge. She spoke life words…do something you love.
Remember what you love & feed your soul.
Writing, reading, sleeping, crafting, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, baking…
These are things that don’t demand your attention.
We must chose them. Set aside duties for a moment. Choose to feed your soul.
Then when the boys awaken I will feel full and be ready to empty. I will have remembered my passions and a piece of who I was before kids. I will feel alive instead of a domestic robot. I will be free to love because I took time to do what I love.
What feeds your soul? Do you stop some days and do those things or do duties come first? If you don’t stay home full time, do you find time at night or on weekends to do something you love?
For those of you that can’t stop & relax when there is chaos…find a room that is not a mess or go outside. Then when your children awaken have them help you clean up the playroom, put away the dishes, even fold laundry! It’s good for them & good for you!
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Love love love this!!!!
Such a good reminder. “there are always going to be rooms to clean, toys on the ground, laundry to fold, dishes to put away.” too true!
I. Love. This. It is so true. And so often the burden of *everything else* overwhelms any chance we have to just be who we are, and get filled up. The same thing can happen with ministry. Taking time to be filled is so very important. Wonderful post.
So true, even if it’s just 5 minutes for piano, crochet, reading, sitting on the porch…
I’m hoping knitting becomes a retreat for me :)))
Love this post, my friend!
Great advice (of course, I read this after I cleaned lol)! I am so one that clutter/mess drives me batty and with working full time and three little girls— I have a tendency, not to do what I loved b/c I feel guilty… when I totally shouldn’t!
Love this post. And, with a broken dishwasher and a pile of never stopping dishes, it is so timely! My passion is reading. I LOVE BOOKS. Most of the books I read now are parenting. I need a break from those as well. Any Christian fiction suggestions? I love historical fiction and mysteries! Anything!!!!!! Thank you!!!!
Thanks nicole! I have loved some good Christian Historical Fiction… “Redeeming Love” is my all-time favorite. I also loved the “Mark of the Lion” series (3 books). Hopefully you haven’t read any of those and you can feed your soul!
Hi Heather! I’ve been following quietly in the background and haven’t had a chance to comment in a while. I love your new blog design, and I love, l-o-v-e, LOVED this post! Thanks for reminding us that it’s not only okay but HELPFUL to spend quiet time doing what helps our souls breathe. I’m excited about your new little man, and I know you’ll have a fabulous, life-changing experience at Relevant!
Blessings to you!
Jana
thanks jana for your sweet comment! hope that we will have a chance to meet up soon!
Heather – thank you so much for this post – I have really been trying to slow things down and not get overwhelmed by all the “duties”….I have been going back to this post in my head all this week and it really has helped and encouraged me. Thought I should let you know! Thanks girl! 🙂
thanks chica for stopping by and commenting! I know when my friend gave me this new perspective it was so helpful. I’m glad that it has been helpful to you to!