I'm a doer....

Not always so much of a be-er.

Another words, I'm a Martha but I want to be more like Mary.  Or at least be a little bit more like her.

"The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing.  One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it ---- it's the main course, and won't be taken from her."   ~Luke 10:42



 



I am a to-do list over-achiever.  I'm a super driven person in some areas, and I like to accomplish a task and move on to the next one.   And I am okay with that {to an extent}.  I enjoy things orderly, neat, in their place & there when I need them, floors clean, beds made, clothes clean, and yards neat.   I like that.  It literally makes me happy.  I enjoy myself much more when those things are in order.  Am I the only nut-case like this?

 



My problem is I'm too driven and when those things aren't up to my standards, I don't function well.  Another words, mama ain't happy so nobody's happy.  I'm constantly looking for a happy-medium in this area.  I feel defeated most days in this area and satan is riding me hard.

My biggest issue is finding the middle ground.

 



I believe that idleness is the devil's workshop.  With our words...  {"...every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement." ~Matthew 12:36}, and our time... {"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."
~Prov. 31:27}.



Here's the war in my heart:::
I have small children at home, who are growing up entirely too quickly.  My time with them is precious.  My influence on them is critical.  Afterall, isn't this the #1 reason I am home with them?

 

 The other side of that....I am a doer in the home.  God made me that way.  I am motivated in these areas.  As I said, I think my home should be neat and orderly.  Not only because I simply like it that way, but because I believe it blesses those who live here.  When things are in place, our lives run more smoothly therefore we are more likely to be in better spirits.  Disorder breeds confusion, anger, frustration, and a lot of wasted time. Besides, the cold reality is it has to be done!

"But can't mopping the floors and cleaning the bathrooms be considered wasted time when your children are growing up while you mop?!!"  (That was satan harrassing me;)  I am getting better in this particular area. 

But since I've almost gotten a grip on that area, here's where satan is dogging me now...

My dear sweet boy has one of the most tender hearts in all the world, he is just precious in tons of ways, but he is not a child that plays and entertains himself well.  He constantly needs/wants someone else in his presence while he is playing.  Therefore I get this from him all day... "Mama, can you come play in the playroom with me?"  "Can you come outside and watch me in the sandbox?"  "Can I have a friend over to play with me?"  "Mama, you said you were going to come play with me!"  "Come on!"  "Mama, when are you going to play with me?" 
And some of these questions are asked only minutes after I've just left the playroom or come inside from the sandbox!

It's constant. 



 



So, there again my question is where is the happy-medium?

I read a post yesterday that gave me some peace.....somewhat.  The title was "I am not here to entertain my children."

She writes:
"If the end goal of parenting for you is the same as it is for me (raising our children to know, love, and emulate Jesus), then “entertaining” certainly isn’t what the majority of our focus should be on. It should be focused on others, just as Jesus was. After all, the two greatest commandments are loving God and loving others.....The fact is: When we make it our mission in life to make sure that our children are entertained and having fun, we are teaching them that that is what life is all about–them! It also can prohibit children from using their imaginations and their own creativity to come up with something fun to do on their own ..."

This is where I tend to say AMEN!

On the flip-side, my sweet, little angel girl is the opposite.   She is very capable of making a day full of interesting fun for herself with only her purses, lipstick, babies, 'business', cowgirly pants & boots- or flipflops whichever suits her fancy for the day- and her very vivid imagination!   It's quite entertaining for me as well---until she catches me watching ;-)



 

Rather than going out of our way to find ways to entertain our kids, let’s go out of our way thinking of opportunities that we can serve and love others together.

How about you?

How do you find the happy-medium with your motherly 'duties' and time with your children?

Blessings my friends~