Back To That Whole Cow Thing
…about the whole How do you rate yourself with those sort of things? I'm seriously |
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January 20th, 2006 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments No Responses to ' Back To That Whole Cow Thing 'Leave a reply |
…about the whole How do you rate yourself with those sort of things? I'm seriously |
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January 20th, 2006 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments No Responses to ' Back To That Whole Cow Thing 'Leave a reply |
on January 20th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
Yes!
My to do list completely stresses me out at times. I also think that I don’t do enough. It seems to be a theme for me this week. I am in the middle of a personal regrouping week.
Chrissy
on January 20th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
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Jen, This is something that often eats me for lunch. Maybe it only happens to type-A personalities like moi, maybe not, but all I know is that if I’m not careful, I can condemn myself into the ground. Or, maybe it’s not me–maybe it’s a wheedling little voice that offers condemnation, which I too eagerly accept? (shades of Rom. 8:1,2??? Amd as for the Destroyer, drowning a person in words of doubt and failure qualifies as a form of destruction, me thinks)…?
I don’t know, but I seem to go through seasons where I feel like a total failure. I’m not in one at the moment, but I think I spent all this past Fall in one–so it’s very fresh on my mind! BLECH! I’m not sure who I’m measuring myself up against, though. Maybe it’s a composite of all the great qualities of all the awesome women I’ve seen throughout my whole life, and somehow I think I’m supposed to measure up to them all, all the time. I dunno…
It’s just hard to find that balance, you know? I want to be able to be challenged, and I don’t just want to *settle* and not seek to be constantly improving, continually going through that process of “more of Christ, less of me,” etc…
…And yet at the same time, sometimes it’s just good to be ME, to rejoice in what God has made me good at (like, say, teaching my girls how to dribble a basketball, as opposed to learning to crochet, which I can’t do for the life of me), to just be what I am supposed to be for THIS home, the wife for THIS particular husband, the mom to THESE children, and not the composite super mom that I so often find myself measuring myself up against.
All that rambling to say… Yeah. Wish I could tell you how I have it all together. Sorry, chicka… Ask someone else.
😆
Molly
http://www.ChoosingHome.com
on January 20th, 2006 at 9:47 pm
great question
I still hear what I call “the voices”. Now don’t think I’m nuts. Let me explain. They are the voices of the world, of Satan, of others and sometimes my own. But I’m also learning to operate under “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. And I’ve learned to apply lots of grace to my life. My best friend has been wonderful at teaching me these things as she has loved me unconditionally for years now. I’ve always heard that you can’t give away what you don’t own. I think it’s true spiritually. How can we give grace if we don’t accept it for ourselves. How can we look at others without judgement if we don’t first learn not to judge ourselves? I still get freaked out at times but it’s easier to catch myself now and remember just Who I am In Christ.
Julie
on January 21st, 2006 at 2:41 am
Eeek!
How dare you go there!
Yes, I often feel “unproductive”. Actually, more than that I tend to feel that I focus or spend more time on less important things. Things that mabye I’m “good at” or give me a satisfaction or reward of some type. Work. Computer. You know.
I’m not so great at housecleaning, though mine is pretty much always presentable. I’m not organized and there are mound of clean laundry needing folding at the moment. The areas that I would like to do better at (and don’t) are:
*More creative, relaxed and spend more time in educating my children. It’s WAY easier to think, write and plan about creative education, than to actually take the time to do it!
*More time “abiding” with God. Not atttending a Bible study or thinking about God, but quieting myself and listening. Leaning and depending on Him. Taking time to know him intimately enough that He CAN direct me.
*People. I’m naturally an introvert and I have minimal time so I struggle to host, maintain friendships, etc. Fortunately, I have friends that plan things and then just tell me to show up so I do get together regularly. But I know I need to do more reaching out on my own. This is just not something that comes naturally to me. I’m quite content all alone in my own little home.
on January 21st, 2006 at 5:21 am
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Lots and lots of days I feel overwhelmed and unproductive. Blogging is really helping me see that I did accomplishing something worthwhile most days 🙂 I have to remember that *my* idea of worthwhile (lots of school done, house done, meals done, laundry done) is not always God’s idea of worthwhile, which would be building relationships with my husband and family! OUCH! Why I put things ahead of people I have no idea.
When I feel overwhelmed it is usually because I am trying to do it MY way and not God’s way or with God’s help. I’ve usually taken over. I need to be in prayer, a lot, about my priorities because they just get all messed up if I’m not 🙂
on January 21st, 2006 at 7:49 am
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I live in the comfy state of denial about this issue.
As long as I am loving God (and I mean loving Him by obeying Him), loving my husband and loving my children…..anything after that is gravy.
And really I know that you, like me, don’t sit around and give ourselves credit….where credit is due….
The house is clean (albeit stinky from time to time :o), there is food to be eaten,
clean clothes, and jobs that are completed, socks are knit….relationships are nurtured and folks are encouraged.
Oh yea. Children are educated too :o)
That’s a truckload of stuff.
Perhaps because we love it so well….it doesn’t feel like we are doing much.
It’s not big and flashy. It’s life as we know it.
And I think I better stop thinking of myself as lazy….you too!
Love,
Donna
on January 21st, 2006 at 9:04 am
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I revaluate my life fom time to time. Although I don’t know where the rating scale mark for this season of my life is, I have to say it is pretty peacefilled. I have one child that has graduated and so now I can say “I can do that” with total confidence. Of course I know that it was not my doing but the Lord’s and I am always thankful knowing that it is not about what I do, but what I allow Him to do.
I like what JEDI4SWEET said in her last post.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Jedi4sweet/68270/
on January 21st, 2006 at 9:34 am
When I feel like this….
it’s always because I don’t have my priorities straight. I know that the Lord didn’t bless me
with more work than I can handle. When my house is a mess it’s usually because I was on the computer too long. Or when I didn’t spend enough time with the Lord it’s usually because I slept too long. It always comes back to me and not the circumstances I have.
It’s a daily struggle and battle of fighting the flesh(lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life).
In Him,
Susan
on January 21st, 2006 at 9:47 am
Ouch!
It’s already been a morning of throw-up, laundry and carpet cleaning, and now this topic……I think “Someone’s” tryin’ to tell me something.
I’m a professional procrastinator with spontaneity mixed in. There are just too many “other” things that would be more fun to do with my kids than clean house – though when I offer to pay them to clean it all of sudden becomes fun……..who knew? (kidding)
I carried a huge, huge burden of guilt during the early years trying to figure out what was wrong with me and why I couldn’t do all, be all, take care of all things………I’ve gotten past the real “burden” part (a nice 5 weeks of flu & pneumonia will do that for you), but I do admit I still feel guilty more days than not that I could be more productive. By productive I mean our home, it’s true cleanliness vs. visual tidiness, more structure in our lives……I battle w/this – is the world telling me we need structure or do we need structure?…..
I am easily distracted – especially right here……..the computer, the Internet and well, um, blogging. The boys and I all three have endless interests, yet I am trying to “harness” my own spontaneous combustion and establish “office/computer hours”…….but like my children, if I am bound to certain rigid schedules, I worry I will lose my own creative spontaneity as my children might lose their love of learning by an all too rigid academia……
I continue seeking balance in all things,
Harriette
on January 21st, 2006 at 11:29 am
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My To-Do list does stress me out in that there aren’t quite enough hours in a day or two or three of me! This, of course, means that my List is either too long or I’m wasting some time– most likely, a combination of both since there are only 24 hours in a day and I KNOW God didn’t make a mistake with that.
Can you imagine, “Ummmm, God??? Yeah, it’s me…didn’t you mean to make the day 30 hours long and I think you forgot a couple of other things as well– like four arms and an extra set of eyes in the back of my head.”
So I think I’m a pretty good mom, housekeeper, cook and wife…but there is still much to be improved in ALL of those areas! I can always find someone worse and someone better than I am at these things…but that really doesn’t matter, does it? It is what GOD wants me to do…and living up to the potential and example that He has set for me.
Love,
Marsha
PS This talk of cows makes me hungry. And I was quite confused for a while trying to remember how cows tied in with all of this…but now I got it!
on January 21st, 2006 at 1:12 pm
To do List stress
to me depends on what is on it. If driving almost an hour to take ds#1 to orthodontist with the ‘others’ in tow as well is on the list–absolutely stresses me. For the most part, however, I am comfortable with my role. I keep deep cleaning for Saturdays, week days are school, and Sundays should be for Worship and fellowship and REST.
Are you just overwhelmed because of moving, ya think?
on January 21st, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Hmmmm…..
Mrs. Ig., my mom always says that we shouldn’t try and get things done but we should rather be doing things. So instead of having a “To Do” list, rather have a “doing” list
on January 21st, 2006 at 2:53 pm
Getting things done
I feel unproductive most days. I povide home daycare Monday-Friday, along with homeschooling my oldest two children, and most days I feel as if my to-do list never gets finished. On days when I have four little ones running around in diapers, not much gets done at all except school and meals (and playing with babies!). I’m working on training my children to help more, but I’m seeing that I should have done that long ago (especially with the 13 year old!)
on January 21st, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Missed you!
Back from GA visiting my very handsome soldier-boy! Whooooot!
Catching up:
1. I love watching cows race. But you do not want to BE a cow. Hint: think burgers.
2. Caramel diets are good for you cuz eventually your teeth will all fall out and you will only be able to eat baby food. (I prefer Gerber's Baby bananas, how about you?)
3. To-Do Lists: Lose the stress-LOSE THE LIST!
4. Courtship: Tyler is in the process. You can check in with him at http://www.Tylerhogan.com
5. Will I see you at FPEA this year?
6. Favorite Movies: Apollo 13, Hunt for Red October, LOTR, A & E Austen films, Raising Helen (FOR MOMS ONLY!), Parent Trap the remake (great soundtrack!), and my new favorite: Because of Winn Dixie.
Maggie* who is saving you tons of time by answering (for once) succinctly and numerically so as not to ramble on and on about the odds and ends richocheting around in her ADD/Dyslexic/Left-Handed head . . . You're welcome.
Edited by MaggieHogan on Jan. 21, 2006 at 1:18 PM
on January 21st, 2006 at 6:31 pm
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My to do list is always longer than my day. I probably blog too much but amazingly, I’m not any further behind or more disorganized than I was before blogging.
on January 21st, 2006 at 8:27 pm
To do or not to do!
I certainly get stressed out by my to do’s whether I actually write a list or not. Now on top of my own to do list I have my daughter’s to do list also.(I totally don’t mind this at all. I love to help. I think servanthood is my true gifting.) Money has always been associated with my to do list since I have to make a living to support myself. I was a stay at home wife and mom occasionally making money by crafts or babysitting or cleaning and I thoroughly enjoyed this time. But God has not brought a husband into my life as a soulmate or for monetary support. So my to do list is such:
1. Learn computer skills. (not going to successfully as I do not allot enough time for this)
2. Pray for guidance on what to do for $$ when the $ runs out.(no answer yet)
3. Help my children during the birth of the new babies. (done)
4. Help my daughter get organized, and get her home cleaned from top to bottom. (hard to do because it seems like you have to start all over again from the beginning each day)
5. Help homeschool my grandchildren.( I love this mucho)
6. Rest and recuperate from the previously stressful years of divorce, going back to college, teaching , almost single-handedly raising four children, teen years alone, allergies and sinus infections, my car accident with my grandson with me, my son and daughter’s car accident, and teaching for 12 years if teaching school. (God is faithful and has done many miracles.)
7. Get over many fears and insecurities because of life issues.
8. Menopause (This was easy for me. Praise God.)
I would imagine that most people go through life thinking nothing was accomplished in life but I think we have to look for even small things. Showing love to your family, a hug etc. did accomplish something for each person. Reading a book together, or helping a child with an assignment. Even feedin’ the chickens would be good, future food or taking care of them as pets, life from the creator. It is hard to relax and live each moment in the stressful world we live in but we have to pursue God in our thoughts as much as we can learn to do. And then not beat ourselves up when we don’t do it perfectly or completely. Jesus died so we can stop beatin’ ourselves up about it all. Blessings to you.
on January 22nd, 2006 at 3:49 pm
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I wrote a small little somthing on my site….. feel free to visit. (really it is small and little)
on January 23rd, 2006 at 11:31 am
Pressure/Purpose/Productivity – God's Expectations?
Sounds like a good title for a book, huh?
About 9 years ago I suffered from severe depression stemming from just this topic– having 4 kids in 5 1/2 years and trying to do-it-all, be-it-all, and feeling like I was failing miserably. But by what standard? Stay tuned to my blog for how I “recovered” from this malady… it’s still a daily struggle, but one that I choose to apply God’s word — and think “Is this how he thinks of me?”
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
To-do lists stress me out …so I have stopped making them – because I lose them anyway – and now I just make “HAVE DONE” lists…it really works out much better for me this way…
Of course I need to have SOME way to remind me to do things, so I usually just put things on my calendar that have an absolute due date…like TOS deadlines. :o) And of course I have to feed and school my kids … well most days … keeping a well stocked supply of “feed yourself” foods and “learn by yourself” books around is highly useful…ha ha
So to answer your original question Jen — yes, other people’s brains work like yours…scary, huh?
on January 28th, 2006 at 8:08 am
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I was reading another post and came upon yours. I had just finished my ‘to do’ list. It is very stressful! I have talked to God about my homeschooling methods and abilities and also my daily task. I have left it to him and I’m trying my best not to get stressed about it, of course, he knows me! If I don’t have my ‘to do’ list I always feel like I didn’t accomplish as much.