Life Is Just So Daily
Jan
16
Written by:
1/16/2012 4:43 PM
Maybe you recognize this expression as a Mary Engelbreit theme. I have a cute mug with this on it, as well as the image of one very frazzled gal. Some days I intentionally reach for it. Do you sometimes feel like this? Housework is very daily. You skip a day, and the dishes and laundry multiply exponentially. Parenting is totally daily. There is no time off. If you have a job outside the home, a daily job...eek-a-meek!
How to cope? Well, Scripture tells us that, “Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22)
What are some of these mercies? Some are pretty basic. The sun comes up each day. We can get up. Coffee can be a daily morning blessing.
Another mercy is a home, a place of shelter which can be a pleasant, orderly haven. Did I say, “orderly?” Sigh! Do you need inspiration in this area? Invite someone over. There is no better inspiration for order than hospitality. And your reward is the fellowship of a friend or friends.
Managing a home is one big job, a job for more than one person. Hopefully you and your husband are sharing it. If you are a single mom...pray for HELP. If you are married, ask for it. If a task is drudgery to you, ask your husband if he’d be willing to take it on or share it with you. Consider what chores you might give to your children. Start them young.
Creativity is helpful. This can apply to activities as well as more permanent elements. Have a tea party, a Teddy Bear picnic, or a Narnia party. Set a special table once a week. Plant some seeds and enjoy watching them grow. If you are overwhelmed, forget this last idea. Dead, dried up plants aren’t encouraging.
Collect a few things that make you smile, either because of the memories or because they are funny. Start a “funny” file. Collect jokes; record funny things your kids say or do; clip a cartoon. Consider consulting a comic strip on-line as part of your morning routine. My husband and I have to have our morning “Sherman’s Lagoon” fix...along with coffee, of course.
Be in God’s Word every day, preferably early in the day. Pray for faithfulness. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit. When we spend time with the Lord in prayer, songs of praise, and His Word, we find strength and encouragement to press on with daily tasks.
Tips:
Have a regular quiet time with the Lord–every morning, if possible.
Grow in your knowledge of His love and faithfulness.
Ask for eyes to see the Lord’s many mercies and to appreciate His hand in your life every day.
Give thanks often.
If you have trouble keeping up with the laundry, try doing some every day. Put in a load, fold a load, or put one away.
Pray and talk about ways to share the load.
Laugh. If you aren’t laughing or smiling, work on injecting some humor, like the “funny” file.
Pray for faithfulness, for diligence.
Enjoy the blessings, the fruits of your labors.
“So I will sing praise to Your name forever that I may faithfully perform my vows.” (Psalm 61:8)