"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"(This is my all time favorite Bible verse, and it really spoke to me in the last few weeks.)
Having said that...
Y'all, I need to take a moment to brag on my husband. Also to take a moment to boast about how really super happy I am right now. It really hit me last week when I was reading Liz's blog, Simply Complex Mom. She had a post about Foreboding Joy. How we force ourselves to be unhappy... like we're always waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Oh. My. Gosh, y'all I cannot tell you how much that post spoke to me.
Do you know how much I have doubted my decision to not go back to work? A LOT. I've texted several girls from my tribe, and all of them have reminded me that ultimately it's the best choice I've made. They've reminded me that I AM contributing to the house. I'm making sure the kids are cared for, cleaning, cooking. I am working. Sure, I'm not bringing any income to the table, but I AM helping.
That. That right there is so easy to forget, y'all. Especially when the crap does hit the fan and, if you're like me, you feel awful about not bringing in any income!
A few weeks ago, Josh's car (the ONLY car we have) stalled out while he was driving home from work. Luckily he was able to get it to a shop so they could look at it. We were thinking it was just the spark plus. WRONG. $1,300.00 later, the car is working. And I'm freaking out about how we're going to make it. How are we going to feed the kids?
Let me tell y'all something, between my friends... my tribe... and PRAYER I was able to chill the EFF OUT! I gave it to God. I let it go.
And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Last week, in the middle of the week of all things, all of the bills were paid. All of them. And you know what, y'all? We even had enough left over to where we could get Zander a little something for his birthday. (I was thinking he'd have to get a belated gift from us because we wouldn't have anything extra). That wasn't the case. And you know what? I wasn't relieved. I wasn't excited. I was content. I was 100% happy, and I realized that I had 100% faith that we could do this.
Because of my husband working so hard, getting overtime, working the occasional weekends, we CAN DO THIS. Josh didn't panic once about our situation. Sure, he got upset that the car needed repairs, but not once he did freak out about anything else. I'm definitely appreciative for what we have. Our home is full of love. We may not be able to go on fancy dates anymore, or go to the movies every weekend. But that's OK. What we have is enough, and I may need to remind myself of this a million times a day going forward, but it's true. We have each other, the kids, God, and love. It's like the verse in the picture says,
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:12With my husband by my side and God in our marriage, I am confident we can get through anything. Plus, it really helps that I have some amazing friends just a text or phone call away!
YES!! Such a great outlook!! Today at church our pastor was talking about blessing others....taking what God has given us and giving it away to others to be a blessing. And that's what you've done. You've taken a hard situation, found the positive and good in it and reminded me to do the same. I've spent the weekend focusing on a hard situation, but your encouragement reminded me that I need to give it to the Lord and not worry about it. He wants the best for me, and His best is always better than anything I could imagine!!
ReplyDeleteAlright, this made me tear up! Not just because of you mentioning my blog, but because that's exactly it. When everything comes pouring in, that's when his Grace shines the most. I am reading two books right now...one devotional, and yesterday, the message could not have been clearer to me. Same. exact. thing. Struggling with something last night, upset about it, but it all made sense. And here we were surrounded by a day of playing outside in the beautiful (March!) snow with the girls. Thank you, beautiful friend for sharing this!! You are incredible <3
ReplyDeleteI love this so much. You are so strong and so amazing. You have really made the right choice for your family. And think of it this way, too: you're saving the money on daycare!
ReplyDeleteLove your outlook! I'm a worrier, too, and things will quickly get out of hand if you let them! Thinking of you guys!
ReplyDeleteI admit, before writing this I was still struggling, but I had to remind myself to "Let go and Let God". As long as I keep reminding myself that God has everything under control, then I've got this too. My family will be just fine. Prayer does amazing things! :) Thinking of you sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteAwww I didn't intend to make anyone tear up reading this! I'm glad it spoke to you though, sweetie. It was just something that I had to get off of my chest and share. I'm so grateful that my family is so blessed. We may not always see it, but do you know what a great feeling it is to know that all the bills are paid and you can still get something special for your kids' birthday? It's the little things. :) I'll be praying for you too, friend! :)
ReplyDeleteAww thanks so much!! And YES! The cost of daycare is outrageous. I'm also excited because we won't have to worry about where Zander will go during the summer, and next year when he's in Kindergarten I'll be able to get him off the bus without any worry. :)
ReplyDeleteoh girl, It's tough being the worrier in the relationship. Josh is just like "it's whatever" hahaha. I need everything planned out and when plans fall through I panic. I'm trying to let things go more.
ReplyDeleteAmen girl! That is amazing. Prayer, a few good friends, & an amazing man by your side you can get through anything! I am finding that out too!
ReplyDeleteYES! I've been praying for you a lot, friend! :) I know how tough it is, and how tough things seem. You'll get through it!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I worry a lot too but we can't worry because worrying really doesn't help or solve anything...it just causes even more stress.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you are able to stay home. Your kids will remember that and it will be a huge part of their lives for years to come!
You are amazing. Like I told you, your kids love that you're home with them. They will remember that. You're an amazing mother, we all have bad weeks even people who work a lot. It happens and I'm sure it'll happen again for you, but we grow, we learn from it. You're doing wonderful! Never forget that!
ReplyDeleteP.s. I am sooo glad we got to catch up! You're such a great friend and you were there when I was at a breaking point.
Thanks<3 Means a lot! We are some tough mamas! <3
ReplyDeleteYep. I am totally feeling this too. You made the right choice for your family and you need to remember that. God does take care of us. I wrote a post about that today too!
ReplyDeleteThere will be moments of 2nd guessing your decision, even after its been a while. I still wonder at times if it was the best thing for me. I know now it was the best thing for our family, but sometimes I wonder about my career and what I've given up (and like you, worry about not bringing any income to the table) but thankfully our God provides, and our husbands are awesome!! I think you're brilliant for making a difficult decision like this and thriving with it!! Xo
ReplyDeleteHaving doubts about your decision is natural. But my mum was home with me and I am very glad about that, even now. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm SO glad we got to catch up too! I'm always here if you need to cry, vent, celebrate, WHATEVER! :) I've got your back, girlie!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the encouragement too. I really appreciate it. You're a great friend!
thanks so much! that really means a lot. xoxo. :) So glad to have you in my life!!
ReplyDeletei LOVE this and i'm so so guilty of panic and freak outs over money too! i had a huge grin on my face when you said you were able to calm down and realize all the bills were paid and zander even got a little something extra for his birthday. you are a great mom and wife and i'm happy you're able to be grateful for where you're at in life, it was a good reminder for me!
ReplyDeleteYou two are a great team. You will always second guess your decision - but you would if you had gone back to work too. That's what us moms do! It's easy to freak out about things, but the moment we stop, is the moment things become clear. :)
ReplyDeleteSO TRUE! You are so right that if I was at work right now I'd be second guessing myself there. When does the madness stop?! HAHAHA. Thanks for your encouragement!
ReplyDeleteAww thanks so much! :) I'm happy to have given you a grin. hehe. It's tough being the worrier in the relationship, huh? We just have to trust and believe things will be OK. Lots of support with friends and prayer!
ReplyDeletethanks so much!
ReplyDeleteHugs hunny! Does it mean that we're just really great mom's since we worry about the little things? lol. Our husbands ARE awesome. I'm so happy to have you in my life. I know you get it. The struggle with two littles and being home! No wonder we're soulmates!
ReplyDeleteXOXOXO great minds think alike! So happy that you're a phone call or text away. I know you get it! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteIt is so great that you two found each other. You balance each other out and that's so important!
ReplyDelete