People used to ask me how I "did it all" -- raise two children, manage a county food pantry, serve on numerous board of directors for non profit organizations, actively serve in church callings, take care of the household, etc.
The truth is that I didnt do it all, or at least I didnt do it all well. Nobody can do everything and do it all well. I have learned that the key to happiness is to learn to accept that I cant do it all. I am learning to do the top priorities well, and be satisfied with "good enough" for everything else.
For instance, I love to cook. I enjoy taking care of my home, family and activities outdoors as well. However, because of health problems, I cannot do those things right now. My husband has been doing the cooking and that just breaks my heart. He does it because he loves me and he is great at helping me out. The problem is that I feel guilty when he cooks and cleans. It is my job and I feel like I should be doing it. I am (?) years old and still learning to deal with life's little ups and downs.
I have learned and am still learning that at each stage in our life, we are presented with different trials and experiences. I can choose to either grow from these trial or I can choose to complain and make everyone around me including myself feel miserable. I choose to grow. As much as I hate trials, I hate to be around complainers more. I want to feel peace in my heart not contension. I refuse to let life's downs make me a bitter person.
I choose to be happy and contented. I choose to be upbeat and never give in or give up. I have a lot to learn but I am working on it. What do you choose? Do you find that life's trials come in clumps in your life?
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Comments: 14
Do you think your husband minds? I bet he doesn't.
I do wish I had reached the point in my life where I can stop worrying and feeling guilty about what little I can do to help out around the house anymore. If my medical problems were short term, that would be one thing. I just wonder how Matt puts up with me sometimes. I am certainly not the woman he met all those years ago.
BTW, I know your age.........a bird here in SC told me!!!!! LOL (Your secret is safe with me)!!!
I know it is hard to allow those we have cared for to be the caretakers, especially when we have devoted our lives to caretaking. I'm glad you're husband is able and willing to fill that role for you. (Don't forget, he has a vested interest in your well-being) :)
emmett
ps: I miss gather... it just does not seem like Gather anymore... your articles I come see becouse of you, not gather.
Mary M has a point. Perhaps God had to make you lie down in green pastures. Perhaps your promotion is nestled in the sweet grass. Job, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Esther & Rehab all suffered terribly on their way to the rich blessings God puposed for their lives.
Remember you're on God's mind. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jer:29:11
(((HUGS)))
She got through it, with strength and beauty.
Now I am a SAHM, with a wonderful 12 year old son, and a husband who is generous and sweet. He loves his music, I don't love it as much. I have my interests and he has his. His only downfall is the same - he is not handy in the house at all. He is good at 2 things - keeping the garbage and recycling organized and clean and keeping his things clean and off the floor. He does not cook, or wash anything. He does little around here. My son is like him in that way. He tries to be helpful at times. He helps me in the kitchen as much as he can and he helps with some of the stuf around the house.
I also love to cook and my son and hubby are quite spoiled when it comes to our food. Most of the folks around here stick to Schwann's and other prepared foods. I do almost everything from scratch and I'm proud of that. Most of the women in the neighborhood think I am nuts. They have told their children that and they have told my son that. I don't care. I am not crazy. I want him eating as healthy as possible. He is rarely sick and I think that is the reason.