Have To or Get To

If you're like me your days might be full of all the "have to's" on a list. I have to: load the dishwasher, clean the kitchen, mop the floor, do loads and loads of laundry, pick up toys, etc. I have a mental list like this and I often catch myself saying "I'm so tired of having to pick up these toys" or "this laundry I HAVE to do never ends!" I complain all day while I do it and then complain again when The Husband (TH) gets home. I tell my kids I can't play with them because "Mommy has to clean." I might make a negative post on Facebook about all the work I "have" to do.   But the truth that has been hitting me hard lately is I don't "have" to do any of this. I have been trusted with the responsibility to do all these things. I GET to do these things because my God granted me the blessing of my children. I GET to do these things because He gave me 2 amazing (and amazingly messy!) children. I GET to clean the mud from little toes and knees because my children are healthy and able to run and play. I GET to mop floors, scrub tables and wash dishes because we live in a place where we have plenty of food and my children are able to eat. I GET to do loads of laundry because we have the blessing of a lot of clothes. I GET to have a messy, lived-house because of what I've been given. It's time to stop with the "HAVE to" and focus on the "GET to." It's time to stop complaining.

So this week I get to take my son to the doctor because we live in a place where we have access to medical care and vaccinations. I get to mop, pick up toys, scrub the stains out of little clothes, shuttle kids to school, wipe dirty bottoms, pick up toys (did I mention that already?), cook dinner and so much more. I get to. I GET to!

What are YOUR "get to's"? Share with me in the comments!

Lord, thank You for all You have given me. Thank You for all the things I get to do. Please help me to find the joy in the mundane and to change my attitude and appreciate the blessings I've been given. I'm so thankful for all my "get to's"!!!!!!! Amen.

This Is My Prayer

The Little One (TLO) Is almost 21 months old. This is such a crazy time of learning and I'm so amazed at what her little spongy brain can absorb. But the truth is, this is also an educational time for Mommy. She's been full of lessons for me lately. So expect several posts in the next couple of weeks!

We pray at various times throughout the day as a family, but primarily it's at mealtime and bedtime. For a while now TLO has enjoyed saying the "Amen!" at the end of our prayers, but a few weeks ago I started letting her help me say the prayer. I say "Dear God, thank You for..." and she says something, I repeat "thank You for..." We do this a few times until things either start getting repeated or a little too ridiculous. My personal favorites from last week that she wanted to thank God for were toes, doors, jammies, spoon and rock. It's always funny to see what's on her mind during prayer time because that's what comes out - just saw cows? Thank You for cows! Really want my paci but mommy won't give it to me yet? Thank You for paci! Just tickled her toes? Thank You for toes!

But my favorite thing is that she prays while she's playing. She puts a plate and spoon on ottoman and then folds her hands and says "Dear God...(mumble, mumble)....food...(mumble, mumble)....amen!" This seriously happens at least 10 times a day! Or if we start to eat a meal and haven't prayed she reminds us to. Perhaps she is just living out 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and praying continually. 

I love that she has seen prayer modeled enough in her life to want to do it herself, but last week I started wondering about my own prayer life. I mean, I don't stop to pray 10 times a day! I pray with her at least twice a day, but those are intentional and childish for her benefit. What would happen in my life if I prayed 10 times  day? What would happen if I prayed intentionally on a deeper level? What would my life be like if I lived a 1 Thessalonians 5:17 life? Sure, she's seeing prayer modeled. But what kind of model am I being? Am I setting aside time to devote just to prayer? Am I mumbling my own way through a prayer, not offering God my true needs, desires and gratitude? Is that all God hears from me? Mumble, mumble, mumble? Is that all He hears when I want Him to hear me say:

 "Lord, You made such a sacrifice for me.  You did something for me that I really can't even fathom. I'm beyond grateful and yet so sorry.  I'm so sorry that I fail to meet your expectations ever day. I struggle daily with temptation. I struggle with my own agenda. But I am grateful in a way that I can't begin to express. I'm grateful for the struggles You help me overcome, for the trials You have helped me weather, for the strength you continue to bless me with. I am soooo grateful for this child You have blessed me with who through such a short life has already helped me grown in my faith and teaches me lessons daily when I should be doing that for her. And because it makes me smile every time TLO says it, I want to say it too...thank You for her toes! :) Amen.