Image by hockadilly via Flickr
A word misunderstood, a glance in the wrong direction, downcast eyes, silence. Suddenly what began as a new week, fresh with energy and focus and potential, crumbles. And all before 9 AM.
Doors slam. Voices rise. Eyes fill with tears. Peace is broken.
Why is it so easy to go here, when you desire and strive for the opposite. Why is the family fraught with arguments, disagreements, conflict? This place of refuge and rest, our home, is anything but this morning. After I drive those blessed children of ours to school, I retreat to my corner, my chores, my thoughts, my own set of tears, and pray that God will make a change.
God make a change in me. Is it me, Lord? What is this ever changing role of mother supposed to look like in your eyes?
Am I trying to control too much? Am I not entitled to an opinion? Have I not sacrificed much, loved much, given much, to be allowed to speak into their lives? And it’s not about complicated things… it’s about hair products, the type of music one might learn at guitar lessons, meeting deadlines for applications. It’s about emptying and filling the dishwasher. It’s about being respectful and polite and loving in one’s tone of voice. These are not biggies… to me… but to them, they are the mountains worth fighting for. Why?
They are growing up and away. I understand that, for the most part. They are testing their boundaries. I understand that too. All the years of investing… infant, toddler, little children, pre-teens… all to bring us to this new place called ‘young adulthood’… just as it should be. We have been preparing them to go. That’s easier said than done. Sometimes, in the words of a dear friend, it feels like you are trying to cram everything you can into them while you still have a chance! And at the same time, I’ve grown older, more tired, perhaps even a little worn out?
I need a faith injection, Lord! I need your wisdom, clarity, energy, and a huge outpouring of your love, to allow me to love them lavishly! As they so deserve and require of me.
God knows. God is here in the middle of it with me. I don’t know what I’d do without him here. Sit on the kitchen floor and cry while the dog licks my tears and wonders what’s wrong with mama? (Hey, wait a minute, I just did that!)
Even so, I get up and turn on worship music, I turn my thoughts heavenward and ask again for the strength and resilience of God’s spirit, that will enable me to get off the floor and carry on. Deep breaths. Inhale faith. Exhale despair. Inhale peace. Exhale entitlement. Inhale grace. Inhale more of God’s grace. For me, for them.
Forgive me, Lord for losing my patience with your precious kids. Forgive me for not being a very loving mother this morning. Forgive me for causing them pain, for sending them out feeling sad and misunderstood. Forgive me for not inviting you into the situation then, rather than waiting until now. Please walk with me Lord, because I cannot bear to walk alone.
Keep calm and carry on… yes, I will do just that.
Peace, out.
Lesley-Anne
Dear Lord, I do not ask to see the path. In darkness, in anguish and in fear, I will hang on tightly to your hand, and I will close my eyes, so that you know how much trust I place in you, Spouse of my soul.
– Blessed Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad
The “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster was initially produced by the Ministry of Information[2] in 1939 during the beginning of World War II. It was intended to be distributed in order to strengthen morale in the event of a wartime disaster. Two-and-a-half million copies were printed, although the poster was distributed only in limited numbers.[3] The designer of the poster is not known.
BUDDY BREATHING 
Great work LA~~~I love how you catch up to your weakness so quickly and with authentic strength~~~you are not alone! Love reading !
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I have been there more times than I care to admit. There are times I ask myself why I am being so immature when it is what I require of my children. I have to stop and remind myself that “yes, I am the older one” and I should be the one to step up and “keep calm and carry on” as you say. But sometimes, I just want to stamp my feet and run upstairs and slam MY bedroom door and not come out until I’m starving or everyone else has gone to bed. I haven’t done that but I have left the house and gone for a walk to “cool off”.
I appreciate your honesty Lesley-Anne. Hope your night is better.
Love Hope
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Sending love and hugs your way. Oh the joy of teenage children! The good news is that they grow out of it and turn into the wonderful, kind and caring young men and women that they show you hints of now and then. Your are a terrific Mom Lesley-Anne. :)
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I came home after a demanding day of work. I had a near melt down due to stress, all before 9 am even rolled around. Have been struggling to push down the panic, anxiety and tears all day. I’m desperately trying to hang on for the next few weeks as some much needed changes will be put in place to lighten my work load and simplify my life at the office. And then I come home to a single message, not multiples like usual, in my inbox. And this message was profound and so perfectly timed, like a billboard sent from heaven, “Keep calm and carry on…”
I will take it to heart and just breathe, and breathe and breathe and keep calm and carry on. Today, of all days, I needed some guidance and direction sprinkled with hope. I heard the Spirit speaking to me through your post. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing. Lora
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Sending big hugs.. our kids can drive us crazy sometimes… yet sometimes they can be so wonderful too.. hope more of those good moments are coming your way.
Love Sue
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Thank you everyone for your ‘talk back’… it’s comforting to know that none of us are alone in our struggles or victories. We have God and each other. Lora, what an amazing thing for you. Thank you God for your impeccable timing!!!
Peace,
Lesley-Anne
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