You know the expressions "it's the little things in life..."? Usually that expression is used as an abbreviation for "It's the little things that make life worth living". However, the expression "the straw that broke the camel's back" shows that it is also the little things that can get to us. You can use this knowledge in your favor!
When you are having a rough day and lots of little things are wearing on your patience and adding to your stress level, remind yourself to deal with one at a time and let each go as you do. If you do that, they cannot build and build until the dam that holds your sanity intact breaks.
If you are facing a very large trial, project, or mess, remind yourself that this mountain is made up of little mole hills. If you can identify those smaller pieces and work on one at a time, you will be halfway done before you know it! Don't try to deal with the mountain as a whole. It will seem impossible and overwhelming and that is what defeats so many of us before we get started.
The other thing that we can do is to look for those little things in life that make it worthwhile: a beautiful sunset, a smile or hug from someone you love, a moment of peace after the chaos, the song of a bird after a storm, a good book, a warm mug of hot cocoa when you come in from the cold, a song that lifts your spirits, a Bible verse that reminds you God loves you and hears you.
His mercies are new every morning
At our house, I have had to use all of these this week.
If you have been following, you know that we have several major (work intensive) projects going on for the house. Partly because they are all interrelated and partly because I have to stop when the weather starts changing and refocus on the farm. If I think about them all at once, it becomes very difficult to figure out what to do next and the amount is overwhelming. If I stop and choose one task and focus on the simple details of "What goes here? What must I do to get it here?" then I can see a path toward completion.
How B thinks the puzzles should be kept
In my last post I mentioned that the kids had been out of school for three days (and they got half a day yesterday for weather). In those three and a half days, we have had three major meltdowns which ended up in discipline (as I tell J, even when you are upset, you are not allowed to be disrespectful and disobedient) and they all started over something minor! Then B decided that she did not like things being all organized and put away and every time I put something away, she would pull it out. I had been working on the kitchen and we have a couple of shelves for puzzles, coloring stuff, playdoh and cards. I had finally containerized in what we thought she wouldn't be able to open. When I saw everything pulled out for the fifth or fiftieth time, I really felt like giving up. This is where the "deal with one thing at a time and let it go" came in handy.
And in the midst of all of this, I saw a beautiful sunrise and two magnificent sunsets. My SWC wanted to cuddle with me after apologizing for his behavior. My horse gave me an extra nuzzle. I heard several messages and songs on the radio that reminded me that God is near, he loves me and he will get me through.
Another reminder that this is all in God's hands
God is near. He loves you. He will get you through. Take it one step at a time and don't worry about the rest.
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