Getting Started

As a wife and mother, I often find myself struggling to keep up with all that is expected of me throughout the day. My adorable children expect me to be fun and fair, nurture them, and love them unconditionally. My wonderful husband has expectations of me too. The house should be somewhat not a wreck, some type of plan for dinner, the children should be taken care of, explanation of the origin of any crankiness (from me), and love him unconditionally as well. Basic stuff. Oh, yes, and bring home what I call "bacon bits." Working part time on the weekends at a local hospital, I don't exactly bring home the bacon, just bacon bits, but every little bit helps. Of course, I have expectations of myself too. One is to get a shower (never guaranteed when you have a 3 year old and 14 month old). That goal thankfully, is almost always accomplished. Other expectations I have for myself are to get some housework done, read my Bible, have some prayer time, reach out to the outside world (thank you facebook), work on writing (aspiring children's book author) and not go crazy in the process. 


With so many things to do and roles to be, how can I possibly do it all? I am comforted by conversations I have with many other mothers who confess to the same struggles. It's a true challenge trying to be the best wife and mom one can be. So many mothers are trying to achieve perfection. I gave up on that a long time ago. We can't be perfect. We are human. This is not an attempt to make an excuse of why I didn't get that load of laundry done. It's just an explanation of the facts.


Instead of perfection, I propose balance. Let's be real with ourselves at set reasonable goals for each day. Example: looking at all the laundry or all the bathrooms you have to clean can be daunting. Set a goal in a day that you will: get one load of laundry done, do the dishes (as many times as necessary), continue raising your children as the Bible says, read at least one chapter in your Bible, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. This is doable. Of course, we must also rely on God for His help throughout our day. Even the most simple of lists can be impossible given the right set of circumstances. How do we find true balance in our lives? God is the answer.  2 Corinthians 12:9:


But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.