Non-realistic Living in Reality

I often think I should stop blogging. Then something stirs in me. Once in awhile I have deep desires to write. I love to journal and often find it poetic and theoropeutic. My life is upside now that I have 3 lovely, delightful, children who pilage our cupboards and suck the milk out of Valio...and myself.

I think how wonderful it would be to sit on a white sanded beach in the warmth of the sun and journal my hearts desires. Heidi, you are in Finland and it has already snowed in the northern parts!

Right, right.

Sooo, where am I going with this? I make unrealistic plans for the week. Some weeks are good, some are bad. I plan meals and school and sometimes 20 projects and think it is completely reasonable.

Not really.

I think I sometimes confuse my life with Southern California paced lifestyle where I used to take B all around Riverside and do the bulk shopping, coupon shopping, dry cleaners, and playdates all in one day. After that I would not have to bulk shop for awhile nor go to the store during the week. Perhaps I look at that and try to transfer it onto my 3 children who all talk and all have opinions to some extent (Yes, even P).

I forget that they are half-Finnish with unique individual personalities with language needs etc. I walk them EVERYWHERE I go. I don't think an automatic van would answer my need to get everything done. They need me. This is Finland, it is just different and my circumstances are the way they are.

I am daily laying my plans to His feet saying: Lord, help me, you know me better.

Lord, plan my day.

I noticed, lately that I will say that prayer and then go on my way, doing things, MY WAY. Don't get me wrong, housework needs to get done. It is important...but not most important. I love what I do, yet sometimes I plan for guests and hobbies and put it over fun time with the kids. Too many older mothers tell me life is short. Enjoy them when they are young. I think I need to listen to that.

It is ok to make my lists, but to really be okay with letting some of those to-do things go is not the end of the world. I sometimes get "creative" and let people do it, or delegate tasks. Or just tell myself: I can't do it, be okay with it.

One morning, for example, I wanted to visit three shops that were on the same street. I ended up only seeing one because I had to catch the bus and go home to feed the kids. When I am with the kids and I mean WITH the kids, we have fun.

This verse has come up more often for me while here in Finland, hope you are encouraged too.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30