Being still
Thank you very much for your helpful ideas yesterday. You really blessed me with your wise, encouraging words and your sage advice.Anyone who knows me, knows that I struggle with attempting to do too much and add too many things to my plate. I often seem to only have two speeds--running or completely shut down.
Motherhood has forced me to slow down and it's been a good thing. But this incident has reminded me just how much more I need to learn about taking seasons of rest when it is needed. I don't always have to be checking things off my to-do list or viewing quality in the form of accomplishment. I already know this in my head, but actually doing it is another thing altogether.
There's nothing like the complete inability to nourish your child as a great big flashing cue from the Lord that I needed to slow down and take it easy. And so, since I realized that getting my milk supply back wasn't something I could just schedule to do in three weeks, I overcame my "Martha" tendencies and took today off.
Completely off.
I did nothing besides eat, drink, nurse, snuggle with the girls, and read. Oh and I think I ran one load of laundry. And that's it.
Can I just say how much fulfillment there was in taking time to sit, smile, talk, laugh, and read lots of books with my girls without worrying about anything else?
My home isn't the cleanest, I'm behind on laundry, and I think we're having sandwiches for dinner, but I feel so refreshed and relaxed. Best of all, the lactation problem is improving.
Slowing down wasn't so hard after all. In fact, I'm thinking we ought to do this more often! I like the rhythm and order that our normal schedule brings to our home (and we'll be talking more about that later this week in our Finding Time series!), but sometimes I think we all need to step back and take time to just be still. At least I know I do.
Graphic from All Posters
Labels: Mothering
posted by Crystal Paine at 5:49 PM
25 Comments:
Crystal,
We aren't measured by how much we accomplish or check off our to do list during the day. It's hard to realize that we do need time for our bodies to heal. I have very severe asthma and no my house isn't always the cleanest, but I have to honor my DH wishes and my own body's :-) and relax sometimes. You just need to remember that recovering isn't laziness. Get to feeling better.
So glad to hear that all is well in your home, once again. I love this verse, because it reminds me that in all the chaos, we can find peace...it's a gift from God!!
"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." Psalm 116:7
Blessings, Pamela (from Oregon...soon to be Florida)
danpamhawk@verizon.net
I am glad you shared, Crystal and are taking the time to rest. A bit of advice from someone who is older & must rest daily - it's important to rest on a regular basis. The body is not equipped to keep constantly moving and going.
Just because we think we can does not make it the wisest thing. I think it is vitally important to give one's self resting & relaxation times & not keep going every second of our day. Not for selfish reasons, but by resting & having time for renewal you are able to be a better woman, mother, wife. That is wisdom for now and for the future.
I would not want you to be in my position, because then it is not a choice to rest, it's an absolute daily must. It is challenging when you want to do many things but your body only lets you do so much.
Maybe it would help to lighten your load a bit for now? It is not failure to have to take care of one's self over accomplishing goals in life. I hope you'll be rested & feel better soon.
I'm so, so pleased things are improving! Now don't feel like you've taken one day, so you must quickly quickly get back to normal! Keep up the rest until you are back to your old self!
I am praying hard for you. I really, really know how it feels to always want to run in 'high gear'. Have lots of quiet time with the Lord and lots of fun with your girls. THAT is what matters - a checklist and laundry can always wait.
Love Claire xx
Sounds you had a well deserved day off.Sandwiches sounds good for a supper idea.
My family is now starting to look for our free samples of sometimes who knows whatToday was the post it notes.
Glad to hear you had a day of rest! The same thing happens with me...it unfortunately takes sickness every once in awhile to get me to do the important things with focus and joy...sitting and reading and snuggling with my boys.
Bless you!
Sheila
You said that beautifully. I often feel the exact same way. Thanks for sharing Crystal!
I'm so glad to hear you are having more luck nursing -- and that you accomplished it in such an enjoyable way!
Glad to hear the milk supply is on the increase! Keep resting a few more days! Sandwiches never killed anyone!! Good old PB to the rescue!
Happy nursing!
Heather
Glad to hear that everything getting better and you had a restfull day off. We all need that someday.
Nichole
http://blog.handmadebycole.com/
That's a wonderful reminder, Crystal. I also have the tendency to be very go-go-go, and rarely slow down enough to just enjoy life. I often forget that I don't always have to be checking things off of my to-do list, so I very much relate to you!
I'm so glad that you were able to enjoy such a restful, enjoyable day, and that your milk supply is picking back up again. Our bodies are so perfectly and intricately made- I wonder if God didn't make the connection between rest and milk supply just to help us moms of little ones slow down once in awhile!
Praise God!
I can very much relate to that! I have always been one that loves to get a lot done, always be on the go (not neccasarily away from home but at home too.). My mom and others are often after me to just rest, say "no" sometimes. It is hard to do but it is neccasary some times. I have been sick this week and I have been constantly telling myself "It is okay to take it easy" I can still basically keep the kids taken care of, simple meals on the table and the house somewhat clean but everything else can go.
I am glad you took a day off, don't be in too big of a hurry to catch up in the next day or two, please take it easy!
I try to take a few says a month where I just chill a little. Like I will do my basic bare bone morning chores then I chill with the kids. Read, play, hang out and pj. I have to tell myself over and over that my stuff will be there and it is okay for the day to relax and be still.
Crystal,
You show wisdom beyond your years to be able to recognize what's really important when a trial comes. Continue to abide in God's word. Continue to seek wise and Godly council (and the prayers of others). And continue to trust in Him for your daily needs, remembering that He measures our success by a very different scale than the one we tend to use for ourselves. Taking it one day at a time,
Merrilee
Crystal, I am so proud of you!!! When I saw your post on Monday of the "Making Your Home A Haven", I must confess that I cringed. I was concerned that you might be doing too much too soon. But, I also thought maybe you were just bouncing back quickly. So, when you posted about the lactation problem, my heart ached for you. You have such an amazing personality and ability to get things done quickly and efficiently. I admire that you actually make lists and check things off! :)
And, yet -- you know what else I admire about you? Your tenderness to the Lord and your desire to listen to him, above your own personality. :)
An older woman shared this with me once and I've never forgotten it: in the story of Mary and Martha, we don't really know their personalities. We ASSUME that Martha was the Type A personality, but we don't know that. It only says that Mary CHOSE what was better. She could have had just as much of a Type A personality, but she CHOSE what was better. Hmmm....something to ponder.
I say that to encourage you: your giftings and personality are very much needed in the body of Christ, Crystal! Your 'check off the list' personality is very much needed and that's not wrong. But, what I love seeing is your tenderness to the Lord and His promptings and your CHOOSING what is best -- to rest and sit at the feet of Jesus. To take your personality and yield it to the heart of your Lord. Yeah, maybe you weren't praying and reading your bible all day -- but, you were sitting at the feet of Jesus, by resting your heart and 'nourishing' your children, in more ways than one.
I'm so proud of you allowing Him to refine you, my friend! :) What a delight you are to His heart!
Debi
Good for you. I know what you mean about the eternal "to do" list. There are times in your life when you have enough energy to get lots done, but the months while you're nursing probably isn't one of them.
Hi There---I came across your blog through my Google Reader, they recomended you to me as a blog I would enjoy---I am so glad I came by, you have a lovely blog. I also see that you are promoting Super Mom vitamins--that is funny, I was just asking about them...LOL. I am a nursing mother also, and while I have not had a problem in decreese, I do know that the more I nurse the more milk I make--did that make sense--so just nurse when ever possible and mush as you can. Have a wonderful Day!!
Julieann
Good job on listening and resting! Sometimes that is so much harder than actually getting stuff done!
I had a friend once who sprained her ankle and still kept going and guess what? She sprained the other one! God really wanted her sitting for awhile!
You have to be careful you take a break when God wants you to as He has gentle ways of making us do it! I used to break out in hives when i allowed my stress to get to a level beyond what it should have been.
Thank you for sharing and teaching ladies like me who aren't there yet. I will try to remember this lesson that "success" in motherhood has nothing to do with how perfect my house will look or how orgnized I am, and how cuddle, snuggle days often contain the best moments and memories of childhood.
It's good that you slowed down and enjoyed your little ones for a day. My 2 year old cousin passed away in December. She would have turned 3 this Saturday. They laid her down for a nap and she never woke up. I think we as women can get to tied up in "homekeeping" and forget to enjoy our little ones. I know my Uncle and Aunt were glad that they had the memories of her that they did. No their house may not have been magazine clean and organized, but they had something so much better.
Crystal,
All the important things DID get done! Good for you!
I agree with other bloggers that you certainly motivate me to do better (oh yes, and sometimes tire me out!):)
Glad that the day of rest worked.
Oh, and I hesitated to respond to the breastfeeding issue because I only ever had problems with milk production when I was...well...pregnant! :) Wasn't sure if that possibility was even proper to suggest! Ha!!
Good for you!!! Take it from someone who works themselves to the dire straits, take time with your little ones. You are doing the right thing. I just want to let you know what an inspiration you and the other ladies here have been to me. As my wedding day draws near I am looking forward to joining the SAHM community. My girls are now 6 and 8 and I don't remember the small details. I nursed them both for as long as I could 6-8 months while working and those moments I really miss. My 8 year old will be an adult almost in 10 years, only 10 and when I think about how fast the 8 have gone by I cry sometimes. Enjoy your babies. Enjoy them, Enjoy them, enjoy them. I can't even remember the chores and jobs that robbed me of my precious time...
It is in the quiet moments when God can speak and we can hear. How do we know God's will for us if we are too busy to listen? We can't listen if our lives are too noisy to hear. I find it a good practice to have a few minutes to 'ponder' every day...no matter how busy it is. It works!
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