Thursday, April 17, 2008

An Off Day

Yesterday was one of those days when I was wishing it would be over by 4:00 in the afternoon. I don't know why, but the whole day seemed to go awol. It began with a fussy and irritated toddler.

What's the problem? I wonder.
Is he sad because Nana and Papa are gone?
Does he not feel well?
Is he teething those back molars?
Is he just exhausted?


Something is not right, and he is using all of his toddlerness to let me know. How I wish I knew so I could just fix it.

I suppose that I didn't help matters - my heart seemed to be full of turmoil as I proceeded through the day. An interrupted nap time meant that I didn't get my personal quiet/rest time.
A growing list of to dos with every thought. Company left Tuesday, more comes on Friday. I have a list of things I can't wait to blog about. Grocery Shop. Laundry. Menu plan. Clean bathrooms.

I'd attempt to get some kind of project done only to turn around and find that Little One had undone something else (like opening the closet, taking out every shoe and scatter them everywhere. Or spilling a big tub of pretzels that came from Sam's.) I tried putting everything aside and giving him extra one on one attention. How about painting? Something we don't do very often and something he enjoys. I got all the stuff out - only to have him cry and protest at everything. Okay, how about a trip to the mall - he usually loves playing in the play area and a stop at chic-fil-a. I just wanted to get out of the house. The trip to the mall turned out to be our saving grace. He was even content to ride in the stroller - something that he hasn't liked doing the past few months.

One of my daily goals is to have the house settled and most of my projects done before 5:30. Even if it means that something didn't get done, that's okay. It's like closing up shop from the work day when I used to work full time. Doing this enables me to quiet my heart and let peace settle over our home for the evening - plus, I am not distracted when Hubs comes home. I am amazed at the change in our relationship since I have started making this time line a goal. With my expectations put aside, I can be available for what he might need, or have more personal time for myself with out the pressure of having to get something done.

Not yesterday however. Yesterday the house looked (and still does) like a tornado has hit. Plans for dinner went out the window as there was no way I was taking Little One to the grocery store. My frustration climaxed as Hubs came home from a rough day at the office - and I needed a break - so did he - and my heart and home was anything but peaceful. I left him with orders to get a pizza, put the baby to bed, and off to Michaels I went. Actually, I really wanted a Hobby Lobby but couldn't find the one I had spotted once.

When I came home, everyone was sleeping. I too put my head on the pillow - asking God for a better day today.

This morning I am reminded of the verse I am praying over our home these days.

"This is the resting place,
let the weary rest"
and this is the place of repose."
Isaiah 28:12

Also I love the music of Watermark - and will play the song Invade over and over today.

Come, come in
Invade all You see of us
Any man, who'd walk Your road is welcomed here
And You're the only one

Chorus:
Jesus, come and walk the halls of this house
Tread this place and turn it inside out
With Your mercy...
Jesus, teach us the prayers that open these doors
Until Your light floods in and illuminates these floors
And let Your truth be on our steps and in these rooms
Jesus invade...

Reach, reach in
With the hand that heals all our suffering
Conquer all that is not of You
Bring Your spirit throught
As we fill these walls with Your praise

Chorus

Bridge:
I call for angels
I call for mercy
I call for freedom
In the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus


Lord, quiet my restless heart, fall over my domain and my family. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Please dwell here.

Rebecca

6 comments:

allie said...

I hope today is better for you. Love you.

Susan said...

Rebecca, Thanks for sharing. I have a had a couple of rough weeks like this too. I cannot get rid of this strep throat that keeps coming back. I know being pregnant probably slows you down too. Reading this post was a great encouragement. I pray your day was better,
Susan

Monica Wilkinson said...

I hope your day is going better today! And, that you had a nice visit with your parents. Love you, Monica

Jenny's Vegcafe said...

Oh how I know where you are coming from. It's one of those days where I want to put half of the toys on the lawn with a free sign. Will napped for an hour and half instead of his regular three to four hours. And he's sick and grouchy. Hope today is better.

Michal said...

Rebecca,
You have an unbelievable gift of putting your feelings into words. And this is one of those many times that I relate to everything you said. I like your idea of finishing everything up by 5:30. I will try to implement that into my schedule AND not get frusturated that I didn't get it all done. That is what I struggle with. I hope your day is better, I will be thinking of you today.

Michal

*carrie* said...

Rebecca,

Thank you for this post. It's been like that here today, and I ended up putting N down early. I'll have to see if I can listen to that song on-line.

Thanks for your sweet note.