noise overload

I think I had an auditory migraine the last few days...

Alright, I know that's just an excuse, but I feel like I've reached my breaking point often in the last few days (and I only have three kids).

I find myself wanting to stay up entirely too late in the relative quiet to compensate for the noise overload I've been experiencing.

I also come up with ridiculous rules during the day like, "Absolutely no more talking ever!" or "You have to sit and look at books on the couch the rest of the day." Obviously, this is not what actually happens.

I know what I really need is not just quiet but a real Quiet Time with the Lord. Or maybe several.

Tomorrow my noise overload time will be, "Let's all sit on the couch and read our Bibles."

I was inspired today by this post from Inspired to Action. I need to start tomorrow right.

What do you do when you are on noise overload? And it's raining outside?

Learning new tricks

I wish I could draw. When I was young, I would try, and I remember thinking I was decent. But then at some point, I lost my confidence and stopped trying. I really have no excuse for not learning or trying harder. My mom taught high school art for years, and she would have been happy to teach me or send me to classes, but I never asked because I didn't think I would be good enough. 

But now I regret it. I regret it because I need to be able to draw in order to do so many of the things I want to do.

My daughter doesn't like to put forth effort in school or other things that are hard for her, that she feels she won't be good enough at to do well (hmmm, do I see a family character flaw here?). How do I get her to realize that she has to try in order to become good at things. That she will regret not working at them harder or learning them better later on when she lacks the skills to do the things she wants to do?

So, here I am. Thirty-something and looking for a book to teach me to draw better.  And hoping that seeing my example of learning and growing will help motivate my kids to do the same.

How do you motivate your kids? More importantly, how do you help them find self motivation?

Keeping hands open

Once upon a time (back when I was in high school), the speaker at a retreat talked to us about keeping our hands open to God, to allow Him to take out or put in what He will. That’s what has been running through my head as I’ve listened to this Sara Groves song the past few day. I want to keep my hands and heart open to the good things God has for me (whether or not they actually look good when I first see them). I hope this song speaks to you the way it has to me. Open My Hands

What songs have impacted you recently?

Isn't it humbling...

Isn't it humbling when you see God start working in your child's life, regardless of your parenting?  Despite your parenting?  I saw that today, and I am humbled.  And deeply grateful.

What do you see God doing in your children's lives?

Where do you draw the line?

I don't want my kids to grow up with an entitlement mentality.  I don't wait on them hand and foot, and I don't give them everything they want when they want it.  I think this is good for them.  But I also want them to grow up learning to serve others the way Christ served this disciples.  I want them to be able to humble themselves, and deny what they want right then and look to the needs of another person. 

Here's the catch.  When I refuse to serve them, when I tell them no and make them wait, albeit for their own good, and I teaching them to be a servant, or am I teaching them to want more?  They say character is more caught than taught; what are they catching from me?

So, my question is, where should I draw that fine line?  I don't have that answer yet, but I would love to hear how you teach your kids to forget about themselves and think of others.

What got me thinking about this was this little snippet of a song by Sara Groves: Right Now

ps. I just found out that you can download Sara's new album for just $5 on Amazon!



What do you think? Join the conversation with me.

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