Finding peace in chaos

(Matthew 11:28-30) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

I wish I could climb in there for a while  :)

For the last couple weeks, well months really, I have been extremely busy. I am finding it harder and harder to get away, for some quiet time alone. I wake up earlier than I would like to in the mornings, get the kids ready for school, drink a cup of coffee, get the baby from his bed, feed him and change his diaper...then there's the laundry, cleaning, and whatever else needs to be done during the day. At night I am usually refinishing furniture, making Chandler's backpack is ready for the next day, etc. I am tired. I know my "to do" list is only going to increase when we bring our adopted child(ren) home.

But I know that one day the kids will be grown, or not want to spend time with me, not need me (as much) as they do now. I know I will look back on pictures and remember how hectic things were, how little sleep I got, and that I will miss it. I will wish I had little ones under my feet while cleaning the bathrooms, a baby climbing into the dishwasher trying to "help" me. These are the thoughts that get me through the day. Also Jesus Christ. He didn't dwell on finding "relaxation time", or taking a nap. He knew his time here was short, as all of ours' is, and he made the most of it. That hit me like a ton of bricks driving home from my mom's house yesterday. I had been telling her that as soon as my children are old enough to go, that we are going to take them on mission trips. Her face looked bewildered, and she said, "to other countries??" And I realized that most people might think that the idea is a crazy one. But we don't know how long we have here on earth, and we need to spend our time focused on what God wants us to do. Most of us get caught up in the every day life, driving our kids around to activities in our minivans, pulling up to our little corners of suburbia, locking our doors, and if we're lucky, eat dinner together as a family. I don't want to look back on the years spent raising my children and have only those memories. I don't want my children to be self-absorbed...I want them to know how lucky blessed they are to have air conditioning, almost as many toys as a toy store, "name" brand clothing, being on a sports team, having colleges to attend, food always available, etc. I want them to see firsthand how other people live. How, by being so blessed to live here, that we have the ability to help, witness to, and bless others. We have the means to teach them about Christ, fill starving babies' bellies, build schools...I want a hand in those things. I don't want to just hear about others at my church going and making a difference. I want my family to make one, too.

(Isaiah 54:13) All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.



Have a great Wednesday everyone!