Don’t take the bait.

The crazy level peaks in our house during bedtime routines; between chatty Kathy aka Kennedy trying to tell every detail of her day, to Zion running around in her princess dress, and two squirmy babies, it's just nuts.

I was on solo duty last night, and after the kids were all in bed, I walked into the kitchen and just stood at the doorway.

The mountain of dishes, food on the floor from the twins feeding themselves; and the half-eaten dinner from Kennedy and Zion, were all waiting for me.

As I started tackling the dishes, it dawned on me that I'll be doing this all over again in a few short hours and I may have screamed a little on the inside.

However, right after my internal scream, this scripture immediately popped into my mind.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

It was a quick emotional check for me. I had a choice, as we all do in these moments:

TAKE THE BAIT

I quickly could have fallen into old patterns of the past. It was a long night, I was overwhelmed, I was tired, and Keenan was out leading at our churches weekly Youth Service (I stayed home because 3/4 girls were sick).

I had every "right" to be in a mood.

To have a pity party moment.

To leave the kitchen dirty because it had been a long day.

And of course, to have a nasty attitude the moment Keenan walked through the door.

or...

I COULD BE ENCOURAGED

That scripture popping into my mind at that very moment gave me the freedom to choose joy. So many moments in parenting, especially when you're home full time boil down to this.

Remember why you're doing this.

Remember that you decided that this was best for your family.

Remember that homemaking holds immeasurable value in God's eyes.

Your work isn't meaningless.

It's sacrificial. It's sowing seeds that will impact generations.

I choose to stay home because that's what I believe is best in this season for our family. Raising four girls, with three under three has changed the game quite a bit.

So at that moment, I chose joy. There have been so many years of taking the bait; causing arguments, creating a stressful environment, and spewing out words that don't breathe life into our home.

So I just wanted to encourage the mama's out there. If you're at home full time, be encouraged. It matters.

If you're a working mama, I've been there too, know that your sacrifice looks different, but carries the same depth and value. It matters.

At the end of it all, remember that parenting is important work. So, don't get weary doing GOOD, after all...

little eyes are watching.

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