What NOT to Do

I've just reviewed my fall schedule and decided NOT to do a couple of things. The two things are very valid, constructive things (a home pre-school class for Abraham once a week and a weekly women's Bible Study) in and of themselves. However, doing one or both of them was going to make each week so busy that the peace and comfort of our home life would have to be sacrificed. The following are some thoughts that have been swirling in my head over the last couple of days.

1. Submission brings freedom. I say this because after 6 years of marriage, I am finally learning to say to people that ask me to do something, "I need to talk to my husband about that." And I don't automatically say "YES! I'll do that." and get myself committed before I've even thought it through. And then when I talk to Philip about whatever it is, he has wisdom and a different perspective on the decision to add to my thoughts and decision-making. And since we have made the decision together, I know it is the best for our family and I have had complete peace in my heart and mind over the decision. And to me that equals freedom.

2. Stay-at-home Moms are still expected (by the world and the church) to have a full schedule (we just don't get paid for it). This one's been building in me for a while now as I am constantly asked by the church or church members to do this or that. I was really struck by one mom when I was calling to recruit people to volunteer for VBS this summer and she exclaimed, "Who told them I was staying at home now?!" She was half-kidding, but the truth is that stay-at-home moms are carrion for the volunteer-seeking vultures. And we are "supposed" to fill up our babies' schedules with music classes, swimming lessons, play dates, and special trips to the zoo and the park on a daily basis.

3. My children are very small and I am busy enough just being here taking care of them. Let's just say eat, sleep, and poop. :-)

4. One day, I'll HAVE to do all the running around, I don't HAVE to do that now. I think this thought was from God. One of my reasonings for doing the pre-school for Abraham was to prepare me for home-schooling one day in the not-too-distant future. I thought this would help me have discipline and get more in the mindset for educating my children formally. But as I was praying about this decision, a quiet voice said, "But you don't have to do that now. You will have to do it later."

I have been so relieved since I made the decision to not do more outside of my home. Of course, I do have some things that get me out of the house so we don't get cabin fever, but it won't be so much that I will be running around and stressed out all the time. After all, my sweet children are growing fast and I want to take time to enjoy laughing, singing, playing, and teaching them every single day.