There are many things in my life that are important. There are many things that have to be done. There are great events to attend. There are many people in my life that I love and want to spend time with. There are hurting people everywhere. There are so many hurting people that my heart aches to feed them all, clothe them all, counsel them all and house them all. But I can’t do it all.
I’ll choose to let go of the guilt.
I have to make choices and above all I have to choose my kids. They are the ministry God has given me and when all is said and done…what matters is my kids.
It doesn’t matter that no matter how hard I try, the laundry is never caught up. It doesn’t matter that the dishes constantly pile up by the sink, even though I’m pretty sure I wash dishes all day. It doesn’t matter that there are dirty windowsills and…what is that stuck to the pantry door? Oh well…it doesn’t matter.
What matters is my kids.
It doesn’t matter that I can barely get through writing this article because my kids keep coming in and interrupting me. They want to tell me about the game they’re playing together. They want to remind me about what happened at the soccer game. They want to ask what I’m making for dinner. I’ll stop what I’m doing and look at their faces and I’ll talk to them because it truly is a joy that they love talking to me. The article can wait.
What matters is my kids.
In the big picture, it really is okay that the emails are piled up even though I hate it that so many people have to wait for weeks for me to respond. It really is okay that I’m never caught up with my work and it really is okay that even though I’m working really, really hard…I can’t do it all. I’ll stop sweating all the details in my life that cause me to worry and get worn out. The details don’t matter.
What matters is my kids.
I’ll let go of the guilt and the pressure I feel about all the jobs around me that are left undone and instead focus my heart on my husband. I’ll cherish him and serve him and meet his needs and enjoy him. I’ll make our very limited time together meaningful because keeping our relationship alive and sweet is incredibly important.
Because more than anything, it matters to the kids.
And they don’t care that we’re having pancakes and eggs for dinner again or that the living room is covered with boxes and bubble wrap mixed with lego men and building blocks. They don’t care that there are scuffs on the walls (they put them there after all) and they don’t care if the scuffs stay there forever.
What matters to them is the security of knowing that their mom loves them and takes care of them and laughs with them and trains them and prays with them and reads to them and talks to them. What matters to them is their mom understands one very important thing which is…
What matters is my kids.
Amen, amen, amen!!! I think I’ll bookmark this so I can read it every day. I need reminders. :-)
I have needed to read something like this for the last few weeks. It really blessed my heart this morning. Thank you!
Amen! I might have to print this one
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
It was a good reminder to me, as I’ve let myself get caught up in all of the “stuff” that needs to be done. Because, actually, it doesn’t “need” to be done. My kids need to know their mother loves and cherishes them more than all of that other “stuff”.
Thanks for that reminder- it’s sometimes a challenge to balance being a wife, mother and housework! Thanks for the reminder
Thank you! I think it is a sad that I need to be reminded of this, but I do. Now I’m going to turn off this computer and go talk to my son!
Exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you.
Beautiful! I wish I could be your assistant. I’d learn a lot along the way ;) Enjoy your little men today!
Oh Luara I sooo needed that today! I had my first ever anxiety/panic attack as a result of my “Gotta do it ALL” mentality. We’re in the process of moving three states among other challenges we’re facing and I’ve been trying so hard to keep it all together but I have forgotten to enjoy my kids in the process. So again thank you for such a sweet reminder.
God knew that many moms needed to hear this post. I certainly did! Thanks so much!
Thank you Laura – I needed this today.
Amen, great reminder!!
Thank you so much for this reminder! It was very needed for me this week.
Honey, I’m officially sending you an e-hug. I sense maybe you need one? Great reminder during a week where so many of us are up to our elbows in spelling tests and piano lessons and dirty diapers and dog vomit and 35-guests-coming-to-dinner moments. Praise the Lord in the midst of all the chaos. For 23 years my life revolved around me. I was miserable. Now serving hubbie and 7 little ones is great!! My kids forgive anything for a hug, a tickle, and a cookie. My husband, I’ll admit, like things just so-so, and can get a bit touchy when there is peanut butter on the wall and pencil marks on the couch, but even he is more than happy to over look it when I meet him at the door each afternoon with pretty hair and his favorite Jane Fonda jeans!!! (Did I just say Jane Fonda? Does that make me sound really old?) Forget the cares of this world, and set your affection on things above. We love you, Laura. You are a great wife and mom and friend to each of us. Have a great day!!!!!
Yep, Jane Fonda. Funny! Yes, it does age us, but who cares?
I just linked this post so my friends can read it. Timely for many of us, it seems from reading the other comments. Me too. Thanks for your lovely blog, Laura, I’ve learned so much from your blog! But like you, I have children who need my attention and love, a look directly in the eye instead of an absent minded “uh-huh.” Blessings to you and yours. :)
Truly inspirational. God Bless!
Like many of the woman here…I needed that reminder this week, thank you so much. I think I may print this out and make it a part of my 5:30am daily devotional time. I could not have said this better myself.
Thank you Thank you Thank you!
AMEN!! What a wonderful post!! We all need to be reminded of this. Thank you:)
Linda
I’ve been reading your blog for about a month now and this is my first time to comment…I just had to say something in response to such a great post. With a newborn and 2 other kiddos under 4, the chaos has been threatening to wear me down. I need reminders like this–marks on the sofa and unidentifiable objects stuck to the wall are just part of life for now. I know this phase will be over all too soon and I’ll never get it back. God is so good to give us joy when we’re fulfilling His calling to us as homemakers! Thanks for a wonderful, encouraging post!
Beautiful!!! I think God intended for me to read this today…I really needed it!
Thank you!
Perfect timing…. my favorite post so far! The Lord is good. Thank you for listening and obeying. In a busy world, even in church doing all the good things, we can get overwhelmed and wonder why we can never ‘catch up’. We assume that everyone else does so much more, so much better. Our focus needs to be on God and our families…. and not on all the expectations of this world. Good word! From someone who has lost her teen daughter to cancer… never take for granted those blessings that the Lord has put in front of you….
Beautiful words!
I needed this today as I’ve been looking at all the piles, jobs left undone, “abstract art” on the white bench, sheets that need changing AGAIN because my 2 year old leaked through & then the mattress that needs cleaning, all the wishful thinking recipes I’ld like to make, the file cabinet that is stuffed full but you know what? I have 4 blessings, well, 5 including my lovin’ man! that need me to be their wife and mother which means more focus goes to them then all these projects that will eventually get done. THANK YOU for sharing your heart. I think you read my mind today! :)
YES, LORD – Beautiful – SELAH, Pause and reflect… The Holy Spirit has been teaching me to really connect with my family, that relationship is more important that “doing the right things”… Sounds like our relationship with JESUS too!! Thanks for your beautiful mama heart!!
Thank you for sharing this. What a wonderful reminder that I so often need. I may just print this out and leave it next to my bed! =) It is so easy to get caught up in all the other “stuff” and the reminder to focus on my kids and my hubby is so refreshing and needed.
This was AWESOME! I really needed to read this today. I’ve printed it out and I’m going to laminate it this afternoon and post it on the fridge so I can read it every day.
Thank you!
I really love this post!! I especially needed the reminder about how the computer work can wait. I get frustrated with my kids too often when I’m trying to work. I know it means so much to them when I will stop what I’m doing and pay attention to them. Thank you so much!!
Thank you for the beautiful reminder about what is important!
Thank you sooo much!! I LOVE this!
Awesome, awesome message. Thank you so much!
Your article brought tears to my eyes. I needed this reminder. God Bless!
So. Perfectly. Written. Thanks a ton for the gentle and very true reminder. P.S. Can I be one of your kids?? You are an awesome mom :)
What a breath of fresh air! Thank you so much for allowing the Lord to refocus your heart so He could refocus mine.
Laura,
It has taken me over 19yrs to let go of trying to be perfect. It has been an uphill battle, and so far I can say, that I am in the middle of the hill.
What matters is our family. What matters is prioritizing what is important and letting go of the busy work that shows the world…I have it all together – look at me!
Thank you for sharing and for showing us how we need to stay focus on what matters – Him and our families :)
Blessings,
Maria
thank you for the reminder! I especially like the part about loving your husband. I really believe one of the most important things we can do for our children is love our mates.
I just recently found your blog and I have never commented on it before. Your post today was such an awesome message and I needed that reminder today. Thank you very much! :)
Perfect reminder. Today is my son’s 2nd birthday, and I’m reading this while nursing his 9 week old sister… and battling mastitis, and the stress of feeling inadequate. Good timing to be reading this!
Thank you so much!!! I am in tears, but it is good. I have been allowing myself to become so overwhelmed with graduating our oldest son from homeschool and having a newborn and taking care of the needs of our 14 and 10 yr olds. I have been trying to learn this new way of feeding my family and take of all the household chores and deal with my husband’s unemployment. I was struggling with what was really important. I mainly struggled over the quilt I have been feeling for not being able to do it all. This was a gift and reminder from God.
YES!! Which is why I’ve put in my notice at work! Can’t wait. I’ve only got a month left and will be a stay at home mom with my little baby. Thank you Laura, sometimes we all need validation. Like when I made a couple clients cry today when I told them I was leaving…
A great reminder after a really hard week!
Thanks I really needed to read this tonight because I have been really struggling with the cares of this world.
Thank you so much for this post. What a great reminder. I appreciate the reminder to focus my heart on my husband the most. Probably b/c he’s been gone on a wilderness trip with no available communication for the last full week. What a great way to prepare for his return. Thanks!
Thank you for the post today! Just as I was reading your blog my 5 yr old daughter proudly came to me to show me how she is caring for her baby doll. Such cute moments that I do not want to miss. I also, like many others, need to read this post frequently – if not daily. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
This is beautiful!!!!!! well said my dear!!!! Such inspiration that i needed on such a busy busy day!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you! I am not even sure how I ended up on your little piece of the internet, bu t I am so thankful I did! I love your posts. esp this one. I am a Real Mom to 3 boys, needing all the help I can get, I have so much to learn.
Thank you for sharing some of your time, writing these great gems and sharing your wisdomn
I love this! Thank you for writing such an exceptionally honest and heart-warming post. Anytime I start feeling down about never being caught-up in my job as mom, I’m going to st6op and spend a few precious minutes to read this, recharge my mom battery stores, and continue on with refreshed knowledge that what matters most is my kids. Thanks again!
Boy did I need this today. It is hard not to try to be all things to all people. What a great reminder of what really matters and what God is calling me to do TODAY!
Thank you!!
Tears are running down my face because, like so many, I relate. I like to say that I am a Martha who wants to be Mary but just don’t know how to do it. I homeschool, three different ages, and want to provide so much for them because I love them that the real reasons get lost in the day to day details.