The sacrifices for peace in our homes

It was a situation that might be familiar to you…

There was a mile-long to-do list and the kiddos weren’t cooperating.

They felt the need to disrupt every task and I was overwhelmed.

I turned to my husband and told him of my overwhelm.

He kindly and slowly pointed out the phone I held in my hand and graciously said that it might not be helping the situation.

I didn’t like it. I didn’t receive it well.

But here I am a week later, still thinking about it.

In a world where we’re quick to tell mamas that they’re doing great —that their job is hard and they are justified in their overwhelm —we ought also to look inward and be continually examining ourselves.

Could we possibly be feeding the overwhelm?

By trying to multi-task more than our humanity can handle?
By trying to divert our attention to the problems around us?
By putting another’s needs above those lives directly entrusted to our care?

I am guilty of this.

My husband was right and I was very wrong.

I wanted to hear him say he understood and look at me with compassion.
But instead, I needed to be called out for the way I was foolishly feeding my overwhelm.

So mama, if you’re like me and find yourself in the trenches of toddlerhood and baby days let me ask you this:
What can you minimize in your moments of stress?
What do we need to put away for the greater good of our home?

Cultivating peace is more than lighting candles and playing quiet music. (Although we turn to that regularly as well!)
A peaceful habitation will only be built when those in charge of stewarding it become willing to sacrifice anything that may war against it.