One of those days... too many times!

Have you ever had a difficult day... and then another... and another... until your bad day becomes a stressful week which turns into a tearful month? I have! I'm going to be honest... I'm in the midst of one of those times of life right now. Things aren't always perfect. Aren't usually perfect, actually. Reality is... life is hard sometimes. Now, I know my life right now isn't really hard compared to some people, and that perspective really helps.

Lumberjack is working long, hard hours. He leaves before anyone else is up in the morning. He gets home in time for a late supper, immediately after which we put the kids to bed. He checks his business email, walks Princess to sleep, and his eyes shut the instant his head hits the pillow. His work doesn't need to be redone every 5 minutes, but is still standing just as beautiful years later. Some days it's hard not to be upset that he can be breathing God's fresh air all day, go to sleep almost instantly at night, and has something to show for his hard work by the end of the day. I wish he has more time to spend talking, so I could at least converse with another adult for a few minutes without constantly being needed by a little person. But, I could be raising our children all alone. I could be crying myself to sleep because he isn't coming home. He could be spending his hard-earned money on rigging up a fancy sports car or hunting gear or worse, and making me budget tightly just to put food on the table. He could spend all his non-work hours in front of a TV playing video games. But instead he works hard at home and away to ensure a comfortable home with

My children fight and bicker and squabble their way through the day. Manly just won't play with Big Stuff, or they turn Little Miss away. Princess decides to spend the afternoon inconsolable instead of napping nicely. Bid Stuff decides school isn't what he wants to do and he fights it all day long instead of getting through quickly so he can go play. Life somehow isn't quite the way I imagined it! But again, I have so much to be grateful for. Big Stuff is our miracle child, who could easily have died at birth or shortly thereafter. He shouldn't even be here, but for the grace of God Who spared his life. Or I look at my memorial photo of Treasure, and wish with aching heart to be listening to those pattering little feet tracking mud across the floor. Perspective. I have too many blessings to count!

Somedays, survival itself seems like enough work for one person. And that's okay. If all you did today was survive, you accomplished something! But as you cry yourself to sleep tonight (as I did after the day outlined above) remember tomorrow is another new day. My experiences today do not have to project to tomorrow. Tomorrow, by the strength of the Lord who spoke the beautiful flowers into being, can be better. How many times have I fallen asleep begging God to help me and give me strength because my responsibilities in just getting 4 children clothed, fed, and kind of cleaned up after seemed like too much? And that's besides teaching school and make my home a joyful, restful, sanctuary for my husband when he comes home. It is way too big for me to handle on my own! And in this season, some things that were on the "must do" list don't get done. The bone broth grows moldy in the crockpot, the fridge smells to high heaven and I don't have the time or energy to scout it out, and the floor in the school room is gritty with sand from the hems of little boys' jeans. Sigh. But, I keep having to remind myself it's okay. It really is. Food may get wasted, laundry may get bleached, but we made it through the day and have tomorrow to look forward to. In a million years, we will not remember the little trials, but we will know whether we have done our most important work--leading others along heaven's path. Go ahead and cry awhile, precious Mama, but then wipe those tears and count some blessings. They will come back to reward you.

HomeKeeper November Challenge

During this busy holiday season it's so easy to lose our focus on what's important and focus on that overwhelming "Must-Do" list. Which is important... at least it seems that way when you're standing in Toys-R-Us trying to figure out how to juggle gift buying with budgeting in a way that no one is left out or offended. Now that's stressful! And, of course, necessary.

But what about the most important things? What about our walk with God? And our homes and family?

So this November, my challenge to you is to become a prayer warrior for your home. As you go through your house each day, pray for it. Pray for the person inhabiting each bedroom. Pray for a peaceful atmosphere in the living room. Pray for health and joy as you work in the kitchen. Cover your home with prayer, so that all who enter will be blessed. Pray for opportunities to use your home as a place to minister to others. Pray that God would fill your home with His Spirit, His grace, His joy, His peace.

Even though our homes are just built of wood and stone, and will someday be gone, they are still an important part of our lives. Let's use them to honor our Creator. And let's not ignore the "best" for the "good". Make sure you make time to pray, even if it is over a sudsy sink of dishes.