Since becoming a mom I have been desperate to figure out how to conquer motherhood. I don’t want to be a sub par mediocre mom I want to be the mom who has it all together, the pretty, well-kept house, delectable homemade dinners, consistency, obedient children who I read to often and days filled with exploration, crafts and playtime. I want it all. I have read countless blogs, listened to podcasts and spent hours on Pinterest planning out how I am going to make this dream a reality. Yet my house is often in shambles, laundry is never fully finished and dinner dishes are often left for longer than I would like to admit. In more than one blog I have read for young mom’s on how to set your day up for success they say to get dressed in the morning down to your shoes. It sounds silly but when you are doing nothing but staying home with a house full of little people the thought of putting on clothes and adding to your laundry pile seems ridiculous. Lately I have decided I need to try harder to live my days with intentionality, I even put on shoes a few days and you know what they have a point. I am way less likely to plop down on my bed or the couch and just sit when I have shoes on they keep me moving. It is amazing how staying productive and active builds momentum and you want to keep going.
When I was actively trying out intentionality the week turned out to be slightly crazy, I mean what week isn’t with 4 kids 5 and under but this week we added sickness on top of everything. I had back to back days one of which I got to the end of and I wanted to scream and cry and then the other I felt accomplished and proud the funny thing is the day I felt great was the day that my circumstances were even more bleak. I wrote in my journal that day:
“Oh today has been interesting but I feel like a decorated warrior, sure my badges of honor may be breast milk and vomit but I defeated today and that’s what counts. Yesterday was not even close to the level of chaos and hiccups, as today was yet I felt defeated nearly the whole day through. Some how in the midst of sick kids, frustrating phone calls and loads of laundry I felt victorious, it might be because I handled each thing valiantly and was well, productive.”
There is something about productivity that just makes you feel good. I hear people talk about how they slept in and watched Netflix all day and they feel as thought they are exhausted. We were not created to be stagnant but instead to take on each day with purpose. The Proverbs are filled with wisdom about laziness and the wise man.
Verses Like…
Proverbs 20:13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
Proverbs 20:4 The slacker does not plow during planting season; at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.
Proverbs 12:24 Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
Proverbs 13:4 The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing, but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.
I desperately long to be counted among the wise and even more so I want to raise my boys into wise young men. Because of this desire I will choose to be intentional and not allow life to just pass me by. I will lead by example and I will choose to strive for a spotless house in hopes to have a decently kept house (lets be real). I will work diligently so I may be abundantly satisfied.
And sometimes intentional motherhood looks like getting dressed up as pirates to go get free donuts from Krispy Kreme
How are you being intentional in your life?
