Living Freely Amongst Chaos

"Oh no Seth, I dont need your help."

"Please put that down. You could hurt yourself."

"Yes, Jayden, I know you want to be held. Almost done."

"okay. okay. okay." 

"What in the world? How does this go?"

- . - . - . - 

You learn a lot about yourself while trying to assemble a crib while your two year old "helps" and your teething 6 month old wont stop crying. 

My patience was thin. 

I had already put it together wrong 3 times (because really? Couldnt they have LABELED the parts instead of an awful drawing. 'Okay, is this A1 or A2? Eh, I bet it doesnt make a difference.' Trust me, it did.)

I didnt want Seth to lose anything or hurt himself while he climbed all over the bed; nuts and bolts going everywhere. 

Jayden was just over it all. He would play and chew on his Sophie Giraffe for about 30 seconds before crying again. 

Dinner wasnt started (plus I didnt go to the store so really I had nothing to cook). 

My husband would be home soon but I really just wanted to put this crib together so that maybe we could all get some sleep that night. 

I was overly frustrated and my poor little guys got the brunt of it. 

- . - . -

Not something I am proud of at all. But I realized even more that I cannot do this on my own. In my own strength I get overwhelmed. I yell. I grunt. I brush off big feelings for tiny people. I walk away. I feel tired. I am easily angered. I get over it easily and I have a hard time mustering up the energy to be an involved momma. 

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out....? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." - Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

That is The Message version of "my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

Mommas, we have this gift of following the Lord and him giving us rest. This tired momma of 2 little boys needs that! He tells us right there to get away with Him and recover your life. I know while I was trying to figure out that crib I needed my life recovered. I needed His guidance, His rest, and even more of His grace. 

All we have to do is simply BE WITH HIM. [walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.] 

Sometimes that really is just praying before reacting. Letting the little munchkins watch a little screen time so you can read a devotional. As mommas (especially to the younger ones) we really do have to find that time. I dont always have 30 minutes to read The Word but i can read and think on one verse or listen to some uplifing worship music.
I need to watch the Lord - keeping my eyes on Him so I can learn to live freely and lightly. 

How different my life (and specifically this situation) would look like with that unforced rhythm of grace.

Lovelies, my encouragement to you this week is to seek the Lord in the frustrating times. Call upon His name in those times when you are overwhelmed. Take a moment to yourself to say a prayer and ask for that type of grace to fill you. Keep company with God always and learn to live freely and lightly

xxoo, Monica