Corners of Contentment

Do you ever look around your home and feel overwhelmed?

I do.

I get overwhelmed with 

items in piles to put away,

floors to vacuum, counters to wash,

toilets to scrub, appointments to make (and keep),

prayers to pray, laundry to put away,

garden beds to weed, pets to look after,

food to make, sales to watch,

friends to call, children to train,

books to read, remembering to drink enough water,

guiding my home-schooled daughter to complete her schoolwork,

making sure there is food in the pantry 

and toilet paper on the dispensers in the bathroom,

making sure that birthday/anniversary/holiday wishes are sent,

and millions of other little things.

I could get overwhelmed by the little things.

Then, I think back to the days when

I first became a stay at home mom.

We had very little.

One paycheck, 

one car, 

one new baby, 

a tiny two-bedroom apartment,

with our very first washer and dryer.

A few years go by, 

and we have another baby.

A whole new set of fascinations.

A whole new personality.

A whole new set of delights.

My riches were hugs from tiny arms,

my delight from giggles during bath time,

my treasures were dandelions in tumblers

and bottles found under the sofa.

I found bliss in the smell of my daughters' hair,

pride in sharing the same space with these petite versions of me.

I enjoyed the discoveries of each new day

with these little darlings that were entrusted to me.

Somewhere along the way, I have allowed myself to 

overlook the simple pleasures that

the making of a home provides.

I don't want to forget the privilege that I have been given.

I don't want to abuse the trust that my God has endowed me with.

I don't want to ever become so overwhelmed 

that I am dissatisfied with my life.

I want to be content.

I want to remember the good things that I have been gifted,

good gifts that are given to me by the Giver of ALL good gifts.

This is my life today, 

(Miss S is home from college!)

and I'm just as happy

(Can you predict what is about to happen?)

 with little as with much, 

(Yep. This is what happened).

with much as with little.

I've found the recipe for being happy

whether full or hungry,

hands full or hands empty.

 (This is me as a little girl--in the lace collar).

Whatever I have,

wherever I am,

I can make it through anything

in the One who makes me who I am.

(Dear Lord, 

Thank you for all you have given me.

May I always remember that if you did not think I could handle all these things, 

you would not have given them to me.

Make me grateful, make me a good steward with YOUR things--

big and little.

Amen.)