Wednesday, August 18, 2010

So Long, Worry!


Worry. Worry. Worry. Yes, worry has been my close friend these many years. We don't hang out every day but when we do get back together it's like we've never been apart. We know each other well. Worry knows my weak spots - my husband, my kids, my friends, my health. He knows just where to aim his attentions.

I haven't been worried in a while but this week provided just the right opportunity for worry to re-enter my life. I am navigating through a really, really, really stressful week. Too many commitments, too many chores, too many responsibilities and too little time or energy! Can anyone relate?

Just when my plate was overflowing, one phone call made the whole thing go toppling over. This was it. My back was against a wall. I found myself in a situation over which I had no control. So what's a girl to do???

I went to the Lord. I cried out for His help, His mercy and His power. I need God's strong arms to carry me through this. I need His wisdom to guide me. I got up this morning to seek Him and He led me right to Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day, our daily bread." With these words the Lord reminded me that He's got my back. He loves me. He knows my needs before I do. He'll provide.

This imagery of daily bread comes from the Israelites years in the wilderness. God provided manna each day. When the Jews tried to save the manna for tomorrow, it spoiled. It was impossible to stockpile God's provision because God wanted them to trust Him - not monthly, not weekly, but DAILY.

Trusting God daily does not make me a poor planner, unprepared for what is to come. Rather, it keeps my relationship with the Lord in the proper perspective. Only God knows what tomorrow will bring and He has already made provision for us. Henry Blackaby says, "If we walk with Him closely today, we will be in the center of His will tomorrow."

So, goodbye Worry! This is where we go our separate ways. I am choosing today to hang with Jesus and enjoy the fellowship of my Provider.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Back to School Stress Relief


Another summer, come and gone and we find ourselves gearing up for the craziness of another school year. I feel like I'm watching a disaster movie that I've already seen five times...I know the trouble that's coming!

How can I prepare myself for all the homework, practices, try-outs, games, tests, alarm clock buzzers, friend drama, teacher drama, demands, demands, demands?! What's more, as a mom, I want to prepare my kids for the craziness too. How I long for this year to be their best yet of learning, making new friends, strengthening their skills (music, athletics, etc.), and most of all growing in their faith. Somehow when school starts my goals and dreams for them can get pushed to the side as we quickly slide into survival mode of schedules that are too jam packed.

Here are some tips to help us not only survive, but perhaps, even enjoy going back to school:
1. FAMILY DINNER: Studies show that families who eat dinner together actually have lower stress levels. Eating together as a family provides a sense of stability for your kids. It helps parents to touch base with the kids and find out what could be bothering them or what's going really well. I know how challenging it can be to get everyone around the table but as Tim Gunn (Project Runway) says, "Make it work"!

2. BEDTIME ROUTINE: Kids need routine and bedtime is a great time to practice. Set a bed time for each of your kids that reflects their needs and STICK TO IT. About thirty minutes prior to bed time bring the lights and noise level down (turn off tv/videos) to help your kids get relaxed. If you're out late with practices or games, talk to your child on the way home about their day (no music or videos in the car). Try to help them download what's on their mind so that when they hit the hay they are able to let go of the day and slip easily into restful sleep.

3. ORGANIZATION: No one wants to send their kids off to school frazzled. So, make sure their clothes are laid out the night before. In our family, we pick out our clothes for the week on Sunday and put them in a closet organizer (I bought ours at Target) so that each day has it's own compartment. This has been a HUGE help as we are no longer struggling over what to wear every morning! Also, make sure you have one spot in the house where the kids keep all their gear - backpacks, homework, etc. This will help eleviate lost items and the last minute scramble to find the overdue library book as you are rushing out the door!

4. CUT BACK: I don't know what it is about our society today but we all seem to be on a race to see whose child can have the most activities and how crammed we can get our schedules. Studies show that children today are much more stressed out than their parents generation. We are pushing our kids schedules to the brink and expecting them to act like a river and go with the flow. Be a rebel and DON'T overdo your child's schedule. Kids need down time each day to just hang out and decompress.

5. TALK TO GOD: One of the best things parents can do is teach their children how to talk to God on their own. There's a book by Stormie Omartian, What Happens When I Talk to God, that is great for helping kids understand that talking to God is just like talking to mom. The great thing about talking to God is you can do it at school before a test, on the playground when you make a new friend, anywhere! Help your child know that God is always with them and always loves them.

These are just a few tips and I know you have plenty of great ideas that work for your family. Please share them with me. Have a great last week of summer and remember, even in the disaster movies, the main characters make it out alive!