When you go to a Women of Faith conference, or any other faith nurturing conference for that matter, preferably one where you have spent the night away from your family and you will know that you have to be prepared for what awaits you at home.
I have just returned from a wonderful two day spiritual womens conference in Dallas. It was powerful, intense, and thought provoking. I listened to Stephen Curtis Chapman talk about his traumatic last year and was thankful for my children and the gifts that they are to me. I had a wonderful time with my friends and getting away for some ME time. I felt rejuvenated, energized and ready for anything. Then I arrive home.......
Seriously, why do I have to be punished for spending time refueling myself? I get full of God's word and the devil is right there to shoot it down. "The girls were great!" says their Nana. Wonderful I think to myself, I am so glad they were able to get along. Not five minutes after being home, the play hitting starts, then the pinching because the other doesn't like the play hitting. Then me trying calmly (because I am a changed Mom right?) to soothe the situation and try and detour then onto something else.
Obviously that doesn't work for long since there is more conflict and arguing and eventually crying. I get some breaks in the drama that is surrounding me but I made the mistake of suggesting it was time for bed. Nothing like declaring war with the kids before bed. So, I say, "Let's take a bath. Then we can pick up a little in your room since we can't walk around it anymore." What was I thinking? Why didn't I just wave the white flag right away??
Remember, I am a powerful woman now. Enriched in God's word and believing I can weather anything that comes my way, except when it comes to my kids. They know me too well. They have my number as Brian will say sometimes. Not that they get away with things but they definitely know how to draw out a battle till you're not sure who is the true victor.
Michelle has been a little emotional in recent times as I have said before. I tend to not be very tolerable of this. I grew up with two brothers and I am the oldest. "Suck it up" is often my first thought. Not the best words for what I should say. So I say, "Be strong". I am learning that the more pressure I put on her, the more she falls apart. Which frustrates me "To infinity and BEYOND!" I want her to be strong but I have so much trouble figuring out how to speak to her spirit without damaging her heart. She is so special and I want her to know that. I tell her that but she has trouble understanding what it truly means.
As I look back at my 24 hours of spiritual teaching, I realize that I have a long way to go. Moms definitely have their work cut out for them. I constantly seek stories from other moms who have experienced something somewhat close to where I am right now or where I have been. It helps me know that I am not alone in the quest for Mom of the Year". Well, at least in my kids eyes!
