It's been an incredibly long week. I haven't been home much. Dishes are piled high in the sink. Laundry is a mountain in my basement. Dust is a solid layer on the furniture. Mail is the new tablecloth that covers my dining room table. Soccer gear adorns the entry way. At places it feels like I live in a dirt hut with the sweeping needing to be done. My house needs attention!
Last night, after driving round trip 5 hours and teaching for 6 hours in the middle of it, I decided these things would wait one more day. Yes, my house desperately needs attention. But my family needed it more.
I shot a few hoops with the family. (We played "chicken" and I got "skunked"). I snuggled with my daughter to watch a short video. I watched an online video with my son and learned the finer techniques of how to soder wire. I thumbed through a magazine. I tucked my children in bed. I spent some time reading a book I've been wanting to read.
Everything inside my house remains as it was last night. Nothing has changed. I neglected my house. I focused on my family.
If someone stops by today, they'll wonder what in the world I've been doing. I have nothing to show for it. Nothing except memories tucked deep inside my heart.
Somehow... that feels right.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
That Feels Right
Labels: family
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WHEW!!!
Makes me feel totally normal! I just did the "7 Random Things" meme, and your post was so similar to my 7th thing!
You have everything to show for it - now and in the years to come. Time invested in your family pays such wonderful dividends. As for the housework, it will always be there. I think growing children into Godly adults is lots more rewarding than a clean house!! You have chosen well.
Yep, I needed to hear that.
Blessings,
~Toni~
Sounds like me, and my house too. Right choice! People rather than things.
I can relate to that feeling! I often have to remind myself that time invested in my kids is top priority, and if that's the only thing that I "got done", I have been completely successful with my goals! It might not have the appearance to others that you accomplished anything, but in light of eternity, it was the best choice for your time! This is a good reminder for me today. Thanks!
And thats how it should feel. There are so many things that are so more important than cleaning house(not that thats not important).
You go girl! That's exactly what we all need to do more often. The dust will climb (and who will notice except the mom), but our families will reap the eternal benefits of our time well spent . . . with them.
Kudos!!
I suspect if I dropped in on you, it would immediately be obvious that you have your priorities in order. To heck with houses - houses keep. Children don't.
I'm applauding you for choosing the right thing. The dust will be there when you're done giving the kids their mom.
It IS right.
Glad you let yourself off the hook and enjoyed your family; the rest will wait (unfortunately!).
I read somewhere: If you want to see us, come over. If you want to see our house, make an appointment!
Please bookmark me at my new address: http://myhomesweethomeonline.net
I'm glad I'm not the only one that does that sometimes. You have your priorities in completely the right order!
And as you know the house will still be there in several years waiting for us, but our kids grow and change and grow! The days are just too short to miss what is truly important.
Loved this post!
Beautiful post and such a great reminder to us all!
You're in great company. It's so welcoming to hear other women talk about their priorities and the house is not at the top of the list. I wouldn't trade an evening of memories with my kids for the cleanest house on the block. I struggled with this for a long time especially during my SAHM days when I felt there was no excuse for it not to get done since it stayed so clean when I was at work then it dawned on me that we weren't there during the day so of course it stayed clean! Now that I'm back at work but have more kids at home (7) it's not so clean anymore because my evenings are spent with dinner, homework, play, baths, bedtime and me crashing from sheer exhaustion and you know what? It's OK. I'll get it done but in the meantime I'm enjoying the little time we have together in the evenings to the hilt. Thanks again for helping me put it in perspective.
I'm swinging through on recommendation from Laura at Orgjunkie. This post rocks. I'm linking up to you immediately! Thanks for choosing wisely and then sharing it with the rest of us.
And you, girl, are a fantastic Mom!!!
I have SO learned to relax over the years.
Thanks for your honesty. Great post.
Sandy
I am new here, first time reading your blog, and when I read this post,it reminded me of something I cut out of a magazine many years ago, that you might enjoy:
On Judgment Day, if God should say,"Did you clean your house today?" I will answer, "I did not, I played with my children and I forgot."
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