Making your home a haven: What's really important
I made out an elaborately long to-do list on Monday and began the day with high hopes and good intentions.
Two hours into the day, nothing was going as planned; the house was a mess, the phone kept ringing, I kept getting distracted, the girls were cranky, and I was feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
I decided around lunchtime to ditch the to-do list and my grandioso plans and just focus on what was most important--having a cheerful attitude and meeting the needs of my family. (What will really matter in ten years from now anyway?)
We didn't cross much off the to-do list Monday and dinner was a very simple affair on paper plates, but you know what? No one seemed to mind at all.
I was calm and cheerful and the girls' needs were met. And Jesse came home to a peaceful wife and happy girls and didn't so much as even notice the smudges on the windows, the toys strewn on the floor, and the piles of folded laundry waiting to be put away.
Sometimes it's easy for me to get so uptight about getting things done that I neglect what is most important. How often I need to be reminded that productivity is worthless if it's done at the expense of those I love.
Isn't this really what making your home a haven is all about?
Two hours into the day, nothing was going as planned; the house was a mess, the phone kept ringing, I kept getting distracted, the girls were cranky, and I was feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
I decided around lunchtime to ditch the to-do list and my grandioso plans and just focus on what was most important--having a cheerful attitude and meeting the needs of my family. (What will really matter in ten years from now anyway?)
We didn't cross much off the to-do list Monday and dinner was a very simple affair on paper plates, but you know what? No one seemed to mind at all.
I was calm and cheerful and the girls' needs were met. And Jesse came home to a peaceful wife and happy girls and didn't so much as even notice the smudges on the windows, the toys strewn on the floor, and the piles of folded laundry waiting to be put away.
Sometimes it's easy for me to get so uptight about getting things done that I neglect what is most important. How often I need to be reminded that productivity is worthless if it's done at the expense of those I love.
Isn't this really what making your home a haven is all about?
Labels: Making Your Home a Haven
posted by Crystal Paine at 2:00 PM
18 Comments:
haha. Unfortunately that sounds like my day EVERYDAY! It seems nothing on my list gets done by the time hubby gets home...which is lunchtime! Once he IS home, it's hard to get anything around the house done because I am helping him with different things!
Oh man, you could have titled this post, "Dear Katie..." I need to do this SO MUCH MORE. Thank you so much for the reminder. Your blogs have really been a blessing to me since I discovered them last week. I've shared some of your posts and tips on my site and on a private mommy blog that I have for a group of preschool moms at my church. You are truly inspiring!!!
Amen! I sometimes get so caught up in what I feel like I NEED to do and forget that the most important thing is a happy, cared-for family!
Amen to that!
Thanks for the reminder, I needed to hear it today. Well I need to hear it everyday but especially today.
Thanks for posting this. I have to remind myself of this same thing from time to time. I might not always have the cleanest house, but I do get to spend a lot of time playing and reading to the baby!
Crystal.
How right you are!! How often I fall short in this area. I so often get discourgaed with a not so perfect house, a simple meal, and my to do list not even started!! I, at times feel overwhelmed and my family pays the price.
I realize at that time I have taken my eyes off of Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. I do so many things in my life (homeschool, stay at home mom ,etc.) to be pleasing to the Lord. Yet I often try to do it all in my own strength. It is when I am weak that His glory shines through. Praise the Lord for His goodness as I strive to be all that He created me to be. Your site is an absolute blessing to me. I pray the Lord continues to bless your ministry. To God Be the Glory!! Michelle
That is a good reminder to us all.
What good is a clean house if you have unhappy kids, grumpy husband, and a stressed out overwhelemed mom?
I couldn't agree with you more. I felt the exact same way today with a clingy baby who wouldn't take his nap unless I was nestled up with him.
I was trying to get him to sleep so I could have time to accomplish my goals for the afternoon. But, I just gave that up and decided to just take a nap with my baby, since it became apparent that he was not going to go to sleep without me being right next to him.
We both had a very restful nap, and I felt so much better afterwards. I decided, it's not worth it to get frustrated and anxious about getting things done, when your children need you more.
Happy, content, and loved people truly make a home a haven.
I have been thinking about this this morning. My day yesterday went much the same and I need to learn when to call it quits and focus on what's important.
Thanks for the reminder that it's about the home and not the house.
Sounds like my day yesterday! Lucky for me my hubby is there to remind me what's really important.
~KColeman
New here, but I've added the blog to my list of daily reads because of posts like this. I work 30 hours a week, have a two-year old spitfire of a son, and I'm 28 weeks pregnant so I REALLY appreciated today's post. Thank you for a great site.
I think sometimes moms need to remember that our children are only here a short time. 18-20 years seems long, but it really speeds by. We have so much to teach them and sometimes it is better to teach them that mom is always there for them, not just for the house and sticking to her list.
I have had many days like this. I feel blessed that I have the freedom to scrap it all and love on my children when they need it!
Amen to that! This is most days in my house too...and I keep telling myself that my daughter will only be small once, so I need to try to soak it all up now and enjoy HER. The dishes and laundry will still be there for me when she is grown and gone.
You've hit upon a key philosophy in my life: When I can't change my circumstances, I need to change my expectations.
Time with kids passes so quickly, I don't want to miss it because I'm focused on the temporary.
Thank you so much for this post. I really needed this message. I have been such a grouch and my daughters have been ill and unreasonable... all in all not good. BUt when I change my attitude it flows through my house and everyone is happier. As they say in "little Women" a wife is the sunshine maker of the house.
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