When the Days Are Long

It is painstakingly hard to remember in the everyday that the children under me are little souls I must pour into.

When the majority of the day is spent breaking up quarrels or battling to get chores and lessons done, it’s easy to forget that during the planting season, much watering and waiting is crucial.

It’s not enough to merely get through the day. It is foolish for me to take for granted these precious, life-forming years thinking they will always be here. Yet I do. I grow weary of waiting for fruit.

Even my own fruit doesn’t grow quickly, but through much discipline and many reminders and endless amounts of grace. Don’t my children need the same?

Isn’t that where it gets tough? Though the days are long, the years are short. We mistakenly believe we have all this time. How can we bring ourselves back to the center of what our motherhood  mission is?

Here are some things I’ve learned to refocus and refresh my mothering goals:

Get out of the house. No, seriously. Talk with your husband about having a morning or afternoon away to just refresh yourself. Being away from home actually helps you refocus better because you are not looking around at all the things that are left undone. Try and do this a few times a month.

Sketch out monthly goals. I started this a few months ago and it has done wonders for my focus. I recommend not putting too many habit forming goals on your list because it might be cause for burn out. Instead, choose one or two habit forming goals and the rest task-oriented goals. You can view my goals here.

Spend intentional time in the Word everyday. If I am struggling, it’s quite possible I am not in the Word regularly, or I have missed several days or weeks. Typically, you won’t notice the effects of weaning out of this habit right away. But over time, it will begin to show consequence.

Pray. Intentionally and often. This should be a requirement every single day, before our children wake up. Pray specifically for your days and what you would like to accomplish, yet remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit and how He directs your steps. I also recommend spending time each week, minimum, praying specifically for each child.

Our children have a few short years with us to grow. Even though the days seem endless, those days turn into years. If we make a habit of waking up dreading what’s to come every day, that’s what we will end up leaving with our children.

Turn your mind to Christ and remember that perfection has no place in mothering.

Are you at a point where you just need to step back and be refreshed and catch a clear vision of motherhood?