When a Balanced Life Seems a Myth

When a Balanced Life Seems a Myth

It is so easy to make sure our kids have a balanced life.  Their only responsibilities are to:

  • Eat
  • Pray
  • Sleep
  • Study
  • Play
  • Do chores (after 10,200 reminders!)
  • Repeat as required

But when it comes to balancing life as a wife, mother, homemaker, employee, mentor, friend, etc., it seems an almost impossible task.  I learnt a few years back (when I was trying to cook, while on the phone, and trying to fend off 3 curious toddlers), that I’m no good at keeping all my plates up in the air! 🙂

I’ve read dozens of blog posts about the importance of making sure that all aspects of our lives are in balance.  I’ve also heard of various ways we can do it – juggle it all, let some drop, delegate, go crazy…  OK, maybe the ‘go crazy’ was my own addition :).

I used to make a list of my priorities – God, husband, kids, work, family, friends, blog…  It makes sense to always base decisions and spend time on things that are higher up on the priority list.  But sometimes life doesn’t give us time to sort out our priorities.  I read in Pursuit of Proverbs 31 that it’s best to keep God first, follow His leading, and eventually all the other priorities will fall in place.  So, that’s what I’m doing now.

My house is a mess, I haven’t cooked in two days, the washed-but-not-yet-folded pile of clothes is towering behind me… Oh and I forgot to mention I’ve been sick for the past three days!  But I’ve got a great husband who brings home takeaway for dinner and 3 boys who understand (kinda) that Mama’s not feeling too well.  I’ve let some of my duties slide, choosing to concentrate only on the stuff that is non-negotiable.

And for now, I hold on to the hem of my Father’s cloak, praying for healing.  For strength to get back to my normal routine.  And for grace to not mind the plates that are crashing all around me.

What about you?  Do you think a balanced life is a myth or is it something you believe can become a reality?

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Counting My Blessings: 1221 to 1235

Counting My Blessings

So here I go again, sharing all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, check out these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1221. LEGO creations taking over our living room.

1222. Identifying footprints and tire tracks on the road with the kids.

1223. That Jason tripped & fell, but didn’t get hurt.

1224. Extreme budgeting at the grocery store.

1225. A store that offers home delivery.

1226. Trying to cheer up cranky kids by being goofy.

1227. Milk chocolate.

1228. The craziness of 3, day long power cuts – thankful we don’t have to experience it every day.

1229. My first coconut broomstick – makes me feel like a proper South Indian housewife.

1230. Wisdom.

1231. The kids excited about their glow-in-the-dark T-shirts.

1232. My first grandfather umbrella – this monsoon’s not going to get the better of me!

1233. Listening to an audio book on my morning walk.

1234. A pastoral team that cares.

1235. Hearing the kids sing this over and over again…

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed me white as snow.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings?  I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey?  Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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The Prints We Leave Behind

Yesterday, the kids were watching “The Cat in the Hat” on TV while I wound up work.  In this particular episode, the Cat, Sally & Nick identify the footprints of various animals and track them down.  Needless to say, my kids’ curiosity was piqued and they wanted to do it too.  I promised we’d do it this morning on our walk to the school bus, and we did!

We saw paw prints, shoe prints, and a variety of tire tracks.  The boys were so enthusiastic as they tried to identify each vehicle that left behind tracks.  We spent a good 10-15 minutes doing this and it was time well spent! 🙂

So anyway, this got me thinking about the prints we parents leave on our kids as we go through life.

As we plod through our day, do we leave behind evidence of God’s grace that sustains us?

In sickness, does our faith in God’s healing power leave an impression on our kids’ minds?

When we discipline our kids, is there any evidence of the forgiveness that we ourselves have experienced from God?  Do we pass that on to our children?

In trying times, do our kids see us holding on to God and never letting go?

Do our words, expressions and actions pour out God’s love on to our little ones?

We leave prints on our children’s hearts everyday.  Are they delicate footprints of love and grace, or are they tire tracks that crush their tender spirits?

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Counting My Blessings: 1206 to 1220

Counting My Blessings

So here I go again, sharing all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, check out these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1206. The boys lying in bed, chatting with each other as soon as they wake up.

1207. Family movie time.

1208. A new phone.

1209. The kids getting used to kids’ church.

1210. Family shopping day.

1211. Amateur graphic designs.

1212. Making a decision about my monthly goals.

1213. Judah talking in his sleep.

1214. Tripping on the road on my morning walk but not falling (So grateful!) 😀

1215. Pizza as backup for dinner.

1216. Personal emails.

1217. Jason’s contentment with just a pen and a paper.

1218. The sons pretend fighting.  I suppose boys will be boys!

1219. Pictures of the triplets as toddlers {Cute!}

1220. These lyrics…

Now I’ve a hope that will surely endure, after the passing of time;
I have a future in heaven for sure, there in those mansions sublime.
And it’s because of that wonderful day, when at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal, from His precious hand I received.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings?  I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey?  Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Top 3 Thursday – Edition #26

Today, I’m sharing 3 different blog series I’m currently following.  All of them pertain to being a woman after God’s own heart.  Click through and check them out, won’t you?

1. Proverbs 31 Blog Marathon @ MJ’s Inspirations {A good friend from college shares a verse by verse study of the Proverbs 31 woman on her blog.}

2. Keepers at Home Series @ A Little R & R {A fellow blogger from Croatia writes about the lessons she’s learnt as keeper of her home.}

3. Top 10 Quotes on Marriage and Motherhood Series @ Women Living Well {A well established blogger shares her favorite quotes from books she’s read over the years.}

* Honorable mention: 31 Days to Start an Online Business @ Clothed in Scarlet

{If you’ve wanted to use your God-given talents to start a business online but had no clue where to begin, you’ll find this series helpful.  There’s even a free domain name giveaway to get you started!}

If you have read or written an encouraging blog post during the week, would you share the link in the comments below.  I’d love to check it out!

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Living with Purpose

Living with Purpose

Everything around us has a purpose.  For example, a fan rotates to circulate air and keep the room cool.  But imagine a fan that keeps rotating, but has no idea why… That’s how I feel at times.

I wake up, grab a coffee, have some quite time, get the kids ready, cook, clean, work, teach, rest, rinse, repeat… day in and day out.  And sometimes, the rush of everyday life makes me forget what I’m actually here on earth for.

When I was 17, I thought I knew my purpose in life.  I remember the cute phrase I’d framed to sum it up.  I wanted to become “a loving, lovable person”.  🙂 Silly, I know!  Well, I soon learnt that this was an unrealistic purpose.  Even if I did try, I would burn myself out and end up becoming a people-pleaser.

Sometime last year, I thought my life’s purpose was to leave a lasting legacy.  But over the past month, God has been refining that purpose, expanding my vision and teaching me to build up on that base.

So what exactly am I here on earth for?  To glorify God in all I do.

…whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

…so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ… (1 Peter 4:11)

I wish I could make a list of all we can do to glorify God in our day-to-day lives, I really do.  But the fact is that glorifying God cannot be reduced to a to-do list.  It is a lifestyle that will probably take a lifetime to get right.

“Glory is the evidence of God…” (Chapter 14, Anything)

When I do something, is it evidence of God’s presence in my life?  In everything I speak, write, do, am… as a wife, mother, friend, stranger…  is there proof that I’m in an eternal relationship with a God who gave it all up for me?

I believe this is our primary purpose, in this world and the next – to glorify God.  Do we choose to accept it?  Live it?

P.S. – I resist the urge to save this post in the drafts and go on with my life.  I resist the urge to edit it, make it more meaningful and tie it up with a pretty bow.  Because if I do, I might just shelve this post and not share it with you.  These are just lessons I’m learning – published raw and unedited.  Please pardon the rough edges.

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Counting My Blessings: 1191 to 1205

Counting My Blessings

I apologize for my prolonged absence from the blog.  I’ve been caught up in a whirlwind of activities involving family, friends, church and work, and I’ve neglected this online space.  Although I believe that real life does take precedence over blogging, this too is my ministry and the need to share something substantial here draws be back.

A confession: I stopped counting my blessings when my faith went through a time of testing the past month.  But the good news is, it brought me to my knees – seeking more of God; more of what He wants for my life.

So here I go again, sharing all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, check out these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1191. A clearer vision for the blog.

1192. A sweet reader who checked up on me during my absence.

1193. A positive response to “31 Days to Start an Online Business“.

1194. Getting into a routine {finally!} a month after the kids started school.

1195. A couple praising God through their heart-wrenching loss.

1196. Hard lessons learnt from “Anything“.

1197. My husband’s new phone.

1198. Sons who’re trying to read.

1199. A conflict resolved.

1200. Courageous boys – makes this mama’s heart lurch.

1201. A walk to the park.

1202. Learning from godly people in the Bible who hesitated to accept their calling.

1203. Singing old hymns in church.

1204. A friend’s healing.

1205. Time – so glad God’s given us enough for the things that really matter.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings?  I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey?  Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Jesus Knows Your Hurt

I first heard this song when a dear friend sang it to me more than a decade ago.  It is all still fresh in my mind – her soft voice, the guitar chords, the tears rolling down my cheeks…

At a time when a lot of people I know are grappling with the question, “Why?”… this song is a reminder that Jesus knows.

Jesus feels the ache in your heart,
He hears your silent cry.
Whatever it is you’re going through,
He’s right there… beside you.

…for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

If you can’t view the video below, click here.

Lyrics:

The pain some people bear no one would believe;
The hurt that’s sometimes there makes it hard to see
That in the darkest hour there is still a way;
Listen to these simple words I say;

Jesus knows your hurt, Jesus feels your pain;
Jesus knows just how you feel, ’cause He’s felt just the same;
Jesus knows your need better than you do;
Just hold on to Jesus, He’s holding on to you!

Sometimes you feel alone, does He really care?
Has He left you all alone, and does He hear your prayer?
Well, He has never left you or forsaken you one day;
Listen to these simple words I say;

Jesus knows your hurt, Jesus feels your pain;
Jesus knows just how you feel, ’cause He’s felt just the same;
Jesus knows your need better than you do;
Just hold on to Jesus, He’s holding on to you!

Just hold on to Jesus, He’s holding on to you!

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If you’ve got a few minutes more, check out A Thousand Things.  It is another song that reminds us that God sees the big picture and it will all fit together in the end.

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Counting My Blessings: 1176 to 1190

Counting My Blessings

Every week, I share on the blog all the good things (and bad) I am grateful to God for.  If you’d like to know more, check out these blog posts on why I do it and how to get started.  Care to join me on this journey of intentional thanksgiving?

1176. A recipe for homemade bubbles.

1177. 3 boys + 1 huge blanket = loads of fun!

1178. Playing peek-a-boo with the boys – their reaction is hilarious even after 5 years.

1179. The first day of the last year of kindergarten {bittersweet}.

1180. Actually missing the boys when they’re away at school.

1181. Having the courage to voice my opinion – not just once, but twice.

1182. A hard-working husband.

1183. Sitting with the boys in kids’ church.

1184. “When you head towards God, you’re heading in the right direction.” – Rev. Johnson V.

1185. Judah thanking a friend for opening the car door for him. {It always melts this mama’s heart when one of the boys thank someone without being prompted}

1186. Hanging out with friends after church.

1187. Scribbling down an outline for the week.

1189. Jason recounting what he learnt in kids’ church.

1190. Coloring with the kids.

Are you in the habit of counting your blessings?  I mean, literally counting them 1, 2, 3… Would you consider joining me on this journey?  Would you dare to live fully, right where you are?

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Top 3 Thursday – Edition #25

It’s been more than a month since I shared my favorite links on the blog.  Well, I’ve finally been able to catch up on my blog reading and here are some posts worth checking out.

1. Slowing Down {In Opposite World} @ Women Living Well {This post resonated with me as I’m learning to slow down and be intentional with my sons – they’re growing up way too quickly!}

2. 4 Things You Really Need to Know about Your Gifts @ A Holy Experience {Inspiration from Gideon’s story about the gifts we possess – our time, talent, treasure.}

3. Why Speaking Well of Your Spouse Is So Important @ Michael Hyatt {Too often we find married couples speaking ill of their partner in public.  This article presents a compelling case why we shouldn’t.}

If you have read or written an encouraging blog post during the week, share the link in the comments below.  I’d love to check it out!

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