Love is...

I'm having one of those days.  My fuse is short and my children seem to know this better than anyone.  I have no way of physical escape, such as a Hawaiian vacation or trip to Disney, in my near future.  In lieu of having a mommy meltdown, I've written out 1 Corinthians 13 and what, as a mom, it says to me.  Because sometimes I just need a perspective adjustment.

Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4

Love gives second chances, and third and fourth.  Love speaks without yelling.  Love doesn't think about what it is doing without and harbor resentment, toward even the tiniest one.  Love doesn't pride itself in being right but is humbled because it knows who it has been. Love is a grace giver because it was a grace receiver.

 

rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ~1 Corinthians 13:5

Love doesn't put things like social media, television or conversation before the well being of others.  Love makes important people and things important.  Love doesn't keep tabs for future use.

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:6

Love doesn't allow the unfair treatment of one child by another.  Nor does it allow the abuse of any child in form.  Love rejoices when children grasp the truth and hold on for dear life.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love is knowing and speaking truth over my children with throwing in the towel - no matter their age, maturity or circumstances.  Love carries us through each and every situation in life without fail.  God is love!

 

The Day the Dishwasher Broke

Sundays are incredibly busy days around our house.  We're usually up early and in bed late with little time for rest in between.  A couple of weeks ago, while in the middle of cooking breakfast for my tribe of hungry fellas, I opened the dishwasher to put away the clean dishes.  As I began unloading I noticed that the dishes appeared half clean.  Ugh! On a Sunday morning of all days.  Mouths to feed, boys to dress, somewhere to go, lunch still to prepare.  Broke.  I stood there in utter disbelief at first.  I quickly put the few dishes I had gotten out back in with more washing liquid.  Turned the dial on the dishwasher.  After several minutes I realized there was absolutely no water going to the dishwasher.  My frustration was mounting.  I didn't have time.  

Today, my dishwasher is still sitting idle.  There is no quickly loading and unloading the dishes in order to move on to whatever is next.  As a matter of fact, the day the dishwasher broke I learned some very important lessons.

• Time is valuable.  I never had to worry about spending time standing at the kitchen sink hand washing and towel drying dishes.  Now, I have to make the best use of my time in order to add one more chore to the list.


• Some things can wait.  I must confess, I'm a social media junkie.  If I'm not careful, I'll spend half my day staring at the screen on my smart phone or at the computer.  In reality, social media can wait.   It is not nearly as important as the three boys laughing and playing in my living room.  Time with my children I can never get back. Facebook status updates will still be there in an hour, a day or even a week.


• Down time is good for my spirit.  I'm a worrier.  I'm constantly thinking about what is or is not done, what needs to be done, why I haven't been able to accomplish this or that.  But when I stand at that kitchen sink, I don't have to think much about what I'm doing.  I can put some music on and just fall into that dish washing routine.

Though I can't say I don't want the dishwasher fixed, because then I'd be a liar, I'm thankful for the opportunity to put some things into perspective.  And see for what I truly should be thankful!