I'm linking up with Five Minute On Fridays where we throw caution (editing, revising, and worrying) to the winds and just write for five minutes. Without wondering if it’s just right or not.
Today's Prompt: If I knew I could, I would....
GO:
If I knew I could, I would get up earlier than my children every day. I would run 2-5 miles. I would have my own time reading the Bible and praying. Then, I would start breakfast. I would greet each child as they awoke with a smile and a hug. They would feel great because their mama had started the day before them.
I would have had enough rest so that my temper would stay hidden inside of me forever. I would always be patient, always be kind. I would always be looking into every teachable moment and do it with grace. When they fuss and yell, I would always respond in the responsible manner never stooping to act like their age.
I would look them in the eye. They would always know that they are truly the most important people in my life. Never a doubt. I would still be fun and yet be on task for our duties for the day. I would embrace the moment always.
As I listen to my list, I hear myself sound like a perfect woman -- a perfect mama. For them, I wish I could be perfect so that they would have only good and no harm from me. But, alas, I am not perfect. And God calls me to delight in my weaknesses and in my insults for His power is perfected in weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9-10). And as they watch me walk out my imperfect life perhaps that is what gives them the most hope because they, too, will have to learn to walk their imperfect lives, too.
STOP
How about you? What would you do if you knew you could?
You can answer in your thoughts, the comments, or in a blog post and link up with the Five Minute on Friday folks.
It looks beautiful here after a week of storms, it is nice to see the sun. I'm off soon to pick up my runner's packet for the Country Music Half Marathon today. Woo-hoo. Hopefully the weather will be nice for the race tomorrow.
Have a wonderful Friday.
So sweet. I try to get up before the kids too, but it's sooooo hard, especially if I haven't gotten much sleep. :(
ReplyDeleteI love how you brought II Corinthians into this post. Def one of my favorite verses in the Bible, and one that I constantly draw on to give me hope. That combined with "He works all things for the good of those who love Him"-those are my two little treasures taht I constantly remind myself when things get rough.
I hope you have a great day with your family! Happy Friday!
Actually, I'm trying to live out "what I would do if I could." I'm taking to heart the "with God all things are possible" truth in a particular area of my life and feeling excited and fearful all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI definitely KNOW that what I want to do cannot be done without God enabling me. I can't tell you what "it" is just yet--it will be revealed very soon. But thanks for posing the question and visiting my blog too!
Great post! I tend to not do things that I I think I might not do 100% successfully and that is really no way to be. I would love to be able to wake up before my girls do and go for a run and have time to myself and then fix them super healthy meals and keep my house immaculate, be June Cleaver. I'm not though and I can't do all that stuff, at least not all at once.
ReplyDeleteI would get rid of my temper and not keep it hidden. Mortify my sinful anger! I know it's possible. Good post, Company Girl!
ReplyDeleteI just found your link from Sally Clarkson's site. You have described my life perfectly...
ReplyDelete...that I am imperfect, and that's where God will do His greatest work. I had forgotten that lately. Your post reminded me of some "perfect" people whom I lived with as a teenager. (My mother and her freind). They were too perfect for me to keep up with and I became discouraged as a teen. You're right when you say that our children need to see us working out our imperfections - submitting them to God and opening our children's eyes to see how grace works...perhaps I should continue this on my blog.
Thanks for the reminder, this was a good post.
Gen.
Trust me, I get up two hours before the kids and I still can't get anything done. Nope not picture perfect and even though I do get enough sleep every night I still break down in front of the kids. There is only so much screaming I can take three hours and two cups of coffee after I get up in the morning.
ReplyDeleteIf I could I would go running in the morning, make breakfast and do my biblestudy. Maybe I can, I sure will try tomorrow... as it is never to late to try.
My list is different from yours because I'm an empty-nester, but I can certainly relate to your wish to be perfect! I remember praying often for God to erase my parenting mistakes. It looks to me like you're doing just fine.
ReplyDeletePerfect would be nice, but since we're not perfect and never going to be, good thing God and our family love us the way we are. =) For the most party anyway. ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true that they love us anyway. Thanks for the encouragement, everyone.
ReplyDelete