Hey you! I see you — hot and tired and wondering how much longer the summer heatwave or rainy season (depending on where you live) is going to last. June swept through our home like a bossy but loveable friend who brings way too much activity and leaves exhaustion in her wake. After surviving cheer camp, youth camp, and finally a family vacation with four generations of my husband’s family, we spent most of last week in simple recovery mode.
My girl and her BFF spent more than one day like this:
And let’s face it, if it had been up to me, I’d have been piled on that couch with them. Because seriously, exhausted doesn’t even begin to cover how I felt after twelve {t.w.e.l.v.e.} days away from home.
We had a senior adult conference the Saturday after we got home on Friday and then Sunday was full of all the normal church activities including a special night of worship and post-service fellowship. And then the rain came. Literally it has rained in some form or fashion every day for what seems like forever though I know it has only been just over a week. At one point we put in the Christmas movies and pretended the gray skies were because it was winter. {not joking!}
All of that to say, I’ve been tired and less than stellar at intentional parenting. For the most part, it’s been sort of anything goes around here. Which has not been all bad but has begun reaping some undesired attitude in some {ahem} of the people in our home.
Earlier this week I was reading {affiliate link} A Mom After God’s Own Heart: 10 Ways to Love Your Children
God works through faithful parents who, in spite of dark and difficult days, work obediently with Him.
Now, I’m not suggesting that my life of the past few weeks constitutes dark and difficult days BUT I needed the reminder about my faithfulness. I won’t always ever be the best mom of the year. But it’s unlikely I’ll ever be the worst one either. God hasn’t called me to perfection. He simply asks me to be faithful. Even when I’m tired. Even when the laundry is over my head. Even when I’d rather take the day off. Even when it’s raining for the seventh day in a row.
So, today, I’m starting over. Claiming the fresh mercies of a new day and choosing faithfulness.
And guess, what … you can do the same thing!!
With love from my heart to yours,
Teri Lynne
Linking up with the beautiful women in the Hope for the Weary Mom community.
Oh, Teri, you have looked straight into my heart! Though you are hundreds of miles away, we are together today in this place of weariness and imperfection {and, evidently, in sogginess}.
“God hasn’t called me to perfection. He simply asks me to be faithful.” YES! That.
So thankful we’re not alone, right, Beth? And I am so thankful God brought you into my life!! What a gift!!
xo,
TL
I needed to hear this today. Yesterday was not a great day. Come to think of it, the whole week has been rather bumpy. Thanks for the encouragement to start fresh today!
It’s been a rough summer for us, too. {obviously} So thankful for those fresh mercies every morning!! And thank you for your kind comment, Amy!
Teri, love this post! Your writing is beautiful and I’m inspired by the reminder to claim the fresh mercies of a new day and choose faithfulness.
Thank you, Kim! I’m clinging to this reminder myself.
‘God doesn’t call us to be successful, only to be faithful’ ‘Be Sweet!’ and ‘Remember Who and WHOSE you are!’ are phrases I heard over and over and over as I grew up. Guiding principles I still hear in my head as I walk out the door. Not bad words to have floating in my head, are they?
Definitely not! I hope my girl hears them over and over again in hers. {But I had to add “Just because you think it doesn’t mean it needs to be said” to her list recently!! I guess she comes by that honestly!! LOL}