where have I been & giving thanks
Where have I been?
It seems like forever since I have posted here. Well, let me tell you…an almost 2 1/2 year old and a fourteen month old sure can keep you busy. I have been busy keeping up with our home, caring for my little ones, and learning to trust and rely on the Lord no matter what life throws my way. Some days are harder than others. I struggle. I want to do more. I want to create. I want to blog. I want to photograph. I want more “me time.”
And then I hear it…”I want” “I want” “I want”.
But God has been revealing to me just how precious this time is in my children’s lives. And that I need simply to be. Be still. Relax. Enjoy these moments. Lean on and trust in him for his timing.
All of that does not come easily to me.
I know there will always be another time for creating, blogging, photographing, decorating, doing things that I once loved. But it always seems we want what we can’t have. “I want it now!,” my flesh screams out. When the baby won’t nap. When the kids are fussy. When it’s time to make dinner (for the hundredth million time). When the laundry is piled up to the ceiling. When the dog has peed on the floor again. When there is another diaper to change. And on and on.
But I hear that still small voice…whispering to me…to look around at all that I have. A cozy home (that I often complain of being too small…and yet I don’t have time to clean it?). Maybe God knows exactly how big my home should be. And I need just see the beauty in it. Right here. Right now. Unfinished. Undecorated (to my perfectionistic standards). Untidy. BUT…lived in. Where lots and lots of love dwells. Where tiny fingerprints cover every surface. Tiny fingerprints that will only be little for so long.
I also have an amazing husband. A man who stands by me through everything. All of my ups and downs. Who is the most amazing father, I could ever have imagined for my children. A man who has so much wisdom…in that alone I should be able to rest and have peace. A man who seeks God in everything and is so selfless he literally exemplifies Christ daily in our home.
I have two of the most adorable children on the face of the earth (biased? maybe but still. they are seriously the cutest little people I have ever known). They make me laugh and cry happy tears constantly. I learn from them every day. And I feel loved in their tiny hugs and kisses…and words of wisdom from tiny voices…”Be okay Mommy. Be okay,” Hazel tells me when I feel weary.
I am so richly blessed. If only I could see it. If only I could keep that in my heart when I go on Pinterest again and again and again. When I look at another lovely home filled with things that “I will never have” or that surely must always be spotless. If only I could always remember God’s words that he will sustain me and that he has given me more than enough.
This is my prayer…
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:11-12
Till next time…
~Alice W.
9 Comments
Sadie
my family, good health, our home. Simple things. that's what I'm happy for.
I remember when my little girl was very small and I felt overwhelmed and like I did nothing but feed people, clear up after them, and nothing for myself. I used to feel so hard done by. Then I realised that actually, that's what I wanted to do. Look after my little family, I'd get time back later on. And once I realised that, things seemed so much easier.
And it was true. My daughter is 7 now, time has flown. She is at school during the week, so I have time back to do what I need/want to do. I'm so glad I realised early on to relish the younger years, you can't get them back. Sounds to me that you have come to this realisation nice and early too. Precious times.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your gorgeous family.
x
Julie Marie
Oooh Alice… I have missed you so!… your little babies are so adorable… and your words so heartfelt… I don't have the little children like you do, but I too feel very blessed with what I do have… a cozy home, my family… my sweet Tessy girl we rescued… I don't think you have "met" Tessy… she is an English Pointer who was lost and abandoned that we saved… I wish you peace this Thanksgiving… and always… I know what a strong lady you are and how strong your faith is that will always see you through whatever comes your way… I love that Hazel tells you to "be okay mommie"… sooo sweet… sigh… much love to you… would love to hear from you if you get a chance… kisses to Renoir… xoxo Julie Marie
The Feathered Nest
Oh sweet friend, what a precious, precious post!!! What dear little angels you have and they are growing like weeds! Yes, take time to treasure these days as you will blink and they will be gone ~ thank so for always sharing sweet Alice!!! xxxooo, Dawn
Sandi
Oh dear Alice…how I have missed your gentle spirit and loving heart. I know you have been busy with your sweeties and that is okay. Keep treasuring these fleeting moments…every single one as I know you will. God bless you and your precious family. 🙂
Hugs~
Susan EvelynAndRose
What a beautiful post, Alice. It is so good to see you writing! Your words really resonated with me. There are plenty of times when I'm wishing for 'time for me' that I just can't grasp. Such is the job of a mother. But you've captured the reality of this precious time with your wee ones – it is truly a fleeting period, no matter how chaotic it gets. My children are 8 and 6 now and it seems like yesterday they were the age of yours. I can attest that more 'me time' does come to give relief, especially when they're in school. Then you just want to squeeze them up with love when they get home. 🙂
Oh, and I think many of us have those pings of Pinterest envy – I'm trying not to add too many images to my boards. But please know that YOUR lovely home is in my boards for lots of inspiration.
Take care, Alice and Happy Thanksgiving to you & your adorable family!
Sheila Rumney
What a lovely post, Alice. Your dear sweet kiddos will be grown all too soon so enjoy all the moments with them you can. Now I am in the season where one is off at college and another one is busy in high school and sports so have little time to see him. Now I am finding time to do those things… but wishing I had them back under my roof for longer moments of time. Hope your Thanksgiving was a wonderful one. So good to see you writing again. God bless you and your lovely family.
Bohemian
Those Precious Little Ones are much to be Thankful for! What expressive eyes… they are Beautiful. Be sure that the Land of Blog, though Fun and Inspiring, can be carefully Edited and doesn't exactly represent Real Life 24-7. Few of us possess the courage to Share the Images of the less than perfectly Staged areas of Home and Life that are revealed out of frame. *Winks* It is however common to assume that everyone else's Homes and Lives are so much more together and perfect based on the Post Images that Captivate all of us and keep us coming back for more!
Blessings from the Arizona Desert… Dawn… The Bohemian
deb famularo
Gosh these children are precious. And the photographs as well.
Anonymous
Your blog is new to me…what a precious find! Still more amazing is the fact that when I peeked at your etsy shop I discovered I live in a town *very* close to you: Chili, NY. 🙂 I have been in your shoes. My husband and I have raised four children. There was a time when I longed for all of the things you are longing for now. After cleaning up the bathroom for the umpteenth time one summer afternoon I heard the small voice of God whisper to my heart "Be thankful. Rejoice that you have a family here to clean up after. Be thankful you are all healthy. Be thankful for summer days and children's laughter and bath time." Since that day (and it was *quite a few* years ago…) I have reminded myself each morning to listen to the voice of God, cling to Christ and not hand my joy over for anything. Our children are now grown, our "baby" is a junior in high school…it all went by so quickly. I have time to paint, decorate, sew,and all those other things I "waited" on. And now THOSE are the things I do while I "wait" for grandbabies! Be blessed, we have so many friends and family in Christ to share our joys and our burdens (and understand our messes and clutter!) xoxo Lisa