My Life–Let’s Break it Down

Many days my life seems slightly chaotic as I juggle all the demands of my very busy schedule. I’ve read that the mothers of little boys work from son up to son down. Oh, how true! Then you throw three little girls into the mix as a mother hen, an independent child, and a baby not quite 6 months old and you’ve got yourself a regular circus on some days.

I’ve found that the only way I get anything really accomplished, as opposed to simply putting out fires all day, is by establishing priorities and setting realistic goals.


This year I’ve found that setting yearly and even weekly goals has been such a wonderful exercise for me.

Without the framework of goals I often feel like I’m spinning my wheels; At the end of the day I’m exhausted but have very little to show for it.

I find it helpful to set goals as they relate to the various aspects of my life. While there are many more—housekeeper, cook, laundry lady, homeschool mom, crafter, and wannabe tree hugger—I’ve decided just to focus on the top three for today.

Having clear goals makes it easier to make and stick to my daily schedule.

So, let’s break it down, shall we?

Child of God
This is the biggest part of who I am. In fact, without this, you really don’t have me. This year I’m striving to spend more time in God’s word, the Bible. I’m also striving to make what I read applicable to my life and then—the hardest part—live it out!

Wife
Let’s just say it, being married is a big deal! Every decision you make can directly impact the person you love the most, but all this loving doesn’t always come naturally. With busy lives and demanding schedules it is so important that spouses capture the little moments and take time to reconnect.

If I don’t schedule these in they easily get crowded out by the mundane, daily tasks. So, I write them on my schedule, because I’d really hate to tell my husband that I can’t kiss him because I have to finish the laundry!

Mom
Mother, maid, nurse, cheerleader, counselor, referee—whatever you call it, it’s hard work. In our family there are four precious little ones all under the age of 5. Yes, I know, it’s a little crazy, but it definitely is helping to break down my selfish nature.


As a stay-at-home mom, my days are filled with the delights of being a mama, but they are also packed with dirty diapers, temper-tantrum (mine and theirs), messy faces, messy floors, messy clothing. Okay, just a whole lot of messy!

But, I know that even more important than feeding and clothing their little bodies is for me, their mama, to feed and clothe them with God’s love. Not that my kids are starving (no one who knows our kids would ever accuse them of not eating) or running around the neighborhood naked (although an occasional streaker might be spotted at home), but their hearts are what I’m striving to focus on.

Do they love Jesus, are they kind to their siblings, are they concerned about those who have less than they do, are they learning gratitude—am I turning their little hearts toward God, and not being a huge stumbling block of hypocrisy along the way.

So, what are the top priorities in your life? How do you make sure that they get the time and focus they deserve?

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