I won’t sugar coat this phase of life. It is chaos pretty much all.of.the.time.
And by chaos, I don’t mean disbehaving kids, piles of laundry, or no sleep.
Yes, those things are definitely part of the equation here and there (HELLO), but I am moreso meaning just the chaos that is having little kiddos, jobs, friends, lives, a house…and well, LIFE!
Even if my kids were perfect, laundry and home kept up, if I took more time for myself–it would still be chaotic.
I have read and read so many articles about how to find calm in the chaos. I have read how important it is to have time for yourself. I have read about the importance of counting your blessings. I have read the importance of friendships and doing things outside of moetherhood.
I think all of these suggestions are helpful and true. But here is the reality:
Yes, you can find time to take nap, but guess what?! Tomorrow is coming with no nap.
You finally get caught up on laundry. In a day (or less if at my house) it piles up again.
You think that coffee with a friend will help you feel normal for a minute, and it does, but then you are right back in the chaos again the next day.
Well, here are my two cents: Yes, all of those things help with chaos! I just spent a Saturday with my mom and sister and is was amazing. I got home feeling rejuvenated and refreshed like I hadn’t in a very long time!
But, you guessed it. Sunday came. I was at church early because of volunteering to help in Genevieve’s class. I was up getting everyone dressed and ready, disciplining, putting bows in the hair, fixing breakfast, all the things!
The longer and longer I am alive, I am reminded that there will be chaos, and there is no real escape from it. I really think the escape is just a muse.
The only way we can have peace or be calm is not to get away from our current situations, but to find the calm within them.
So how do you find this calm? It really is simple.
Prayer is where it is at, yall! Worship is where it is at! Reading the Bible is where it is at.
No, it is not an immediate mood changer, but If we want peace, true peace, it has to be ALL about Him!
When my mind is on Christ, the chaos is a blessing.
When my mind is on Christ, I can smile at the laundry knowing how much I prayed for those clothes to wash.
When my mind is on Christ and I am just overwhelmed with life, I am so incredibly thankful to have this life to be overwhelmed with.
It simply comes down to what we are relying on to find peace or calm.
So, yes, get the pedicure or the massage if you are able to, but don’t ever let it replace or depend on it to give you the peace you need to face this season of life with joy, peace and thankfulness.
Above all else, I want to display Christ and His love even in this crazy season of chaos.
Call me crazy- I actually love the chaos. God gives me the perspective to see how beautiful it is.
Let Him give you that perspective too.
Loving the calm chaos,
Aly