Five Minute Friday: Dear
It’s been a while since I’ve played along with Five Minute Friday. I miss it. I’m back. Five Minute Friday is, in my mind, an awesome way to have a free write.
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you; encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community...
GO
Dear. This word isn’t giving me much of anything today. The first thing that pops in my head is Rudolf – but that’s a deer and not quite on topic.
The next thing I think of Dear Maria – a song that makes my feet move faster when I’m running. Sometimes, it’s at a really bad time like when I’m in the middle of my second mile and ready to fall. I’ve slowed down a bit because I took the first mile too fast, as usual. Then, “Dear Maria” comes on, and I can’t help but move to the very fast beat. The last time this happened, I was in the middle of the race. I bounded down the street, cut some people off, and worked my way through the crowd at speeds I really shouldn’t have been going. Because not thirty seconds later, I was in serious need of a break.
Dear. My children are dear to me. My husband is dear to me. My parents are dear to me.
I’m struggling today.
I have had a trying week, to be honest. I’m frustrated with the house and how messy and unorganized it is (note the name of the blog). I’m nesting as babygenius4 is growing inside of me, and I need this house in order before she arrives and brings even more chaos.
But I’m so lucky to have all of this mess. It’s because of my three beautiful children and amazing husband that I get so frustrated — because they are here to make the mess. We have food to dirty the plates and drinks to spill on the floor. We have an over abundance of toys to step on in the dark, and books that have ripped pages because we weren’t paying attention to Flash who pulled one off the shelf when we weren’t looking.
Even when I feel the craziest – even when I feel like my life is horrible and I can’t take it any more – I’m so richly and deeply blessed.
So many things are dear to me. I forget to see this when I just look at the surface. Because the surface is covered with jelly and crumbs and play-doh. Beyond the mess and the chaos, I don’t struggle so much to find the dear.
STOP
Last night at church, this is the message I heard: For each sacrifice I make for my home and my children I need to offer it up in a prayerful way to support the mothers who are headed over the edge. Sometimes I *feel* like I’m on the edge, but in reality I am truly lucky to be very far from it. In my head, it helps to think of praying for other mothers who are struggling with the same things I struggle with and maybe not making good choices in terms of the kids. I’m not sure if that makes sense at all when I type it out, but in my head it’s beautiful and very helpful!
It is totally helpful and beautiful. When I’m “down and out,” I will try to remember this.