How are you feeling?

Some days my children make me feel like an amazing mom!  They cooperate, the day runs smoothly, I cross off everything on my "list" - including chores!  The house is clean, schoolwork is done, we've played a game, and I meet my husband at the door with a smile and a kiss.  Life is great! 

As wonderful as that sounds, do I really want to let my children and my situations for the day determine how I feel about myself?  That's giving them a lot of power.  And what happens when the table is turned?




Let's look at a contrasting day.  You know, the day where I can't seem to get an ounce of schoolwork completed, the kids are uncooperative, the chores are piling up, the kids are bickering, I spill coffee on my freshly cleaned carpet, my toddler decides to "aim" for something other than the toilet, I have no idea what we are going to eat for dinner, I haven't had a shower and my husband is due home any minute!  (Notice I have a lot more examples of a bad day - lol!) 

Yes, that is his underwear on his head!  What a nut!

If I was an amazing mom in the first scenario, does that mean I'm a failure in the second scenario?  How do I base my successes and failures as a homeschool mom?  Do I base them on how happy my family is at the moment?  Do I base them on how much is crossed off my "list"? 

John 15:11  "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

I need to set my standard on the Lord.  He is the one who gives me joy.  We often think of joy as an emotion or a feeling.  But joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  It's not something we produce on our own. 

Maybe what I consider a failure, God would consider a success.  Did I control my anger and respond with discipline not just punishment?  Or if I did "lose it" for a moment, did I ask for forgiveness - teaching my children the value of humility and the importance of forgiveness in a relationship?  Did I lean on my Lord during that struggling day - thereby strengthening my relationship with Him? 

The next time you are having a difficult day, ask the Lord how to make it a success in His eyes.  I may not cross anything off my list, the house may be a mess, but I can still sing praises to my King for He is the one that gives me joy - not my lists!

God gave me my children, He gave me my circumstances, and He gave me His joy to carry me through.

Thank you, Lord.  Life really is great!