For our home to fall into a beautiful rhythm, everything has to happen at the right time.
On those rhythmic days, groceries are already purchased, meal plans are followed, and laundry is done. One load a day. Sometimes two. Toy clean up happens before naps and before bed. If I want to wake up to a clean home, I have to go to bed with one too.
But all it takes to botch the rhythm is a sick kiddo, a tired mommy, and a full schedule with no margin for those extras. The extras can be anything: doctor's appointments, a meal brought to a friend, babysitting for another friend, or extra snuggles for a teething baby.
And on those days, instead of a symphony, we have a cacophony.
The pace is too fast at times, and at other times, far too slow to accomplish a clean home. Cacophony makes me irritable. I want my symphony back. Now.
But maybe real motherhood happens in the cacophony. Maybe I'm not measured by how clean my home is, how perfect the meals are, or the clean laundry.
Maybe it's the snuggles with the sick little one, that phone call from a friend who just needs to talk, and the "read one more, mommy" moments that define me as a mother.
These moments are not interruptions to our perfect rhythm.
They are the rhythm.
Your turn: What's the biggest challenge to finding rhythm in your home right now?
The letting go of what we think (and "they" think) it should be and embracing the rhythm - this > "they are the rhythm" - I love that. This is a beautiful reminder that life happens in the moments. The real ones. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, great word! cacophony! Oh and that is so true too, finding the balance, accepting the interruptions and seeing/hearing the symphony in all of the complexity of our days somehow...by His grace...Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteAs a mom of grown kids I have learned to believe that real motherhood, the motherhood that those little ones will remember when they stand next to you looking you eye to eye, is find in the cacophony. Relax, find your balance but if you have to pick always go for the extra snuggles.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I so hear you on this one. What a revelation it is when we realize the cacophony IS the rhythm. You wrote about it so well. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteGabby, I am SO with you in this! I, too, have three little ones 4 yrs and under. And I think you hit the nail on the head...not having enough margin in my day makes me feel like chaos has overtaken the calm when the unexpected expected-ly happens. But I'm learning to embrace the chaos that three little boys inevitably brings and see all the snuggly, adventurous, wild gifts in the midst of it all. Sounds like you're doing great, dear mama. Keep on keepin on.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on the journey,
Becky
There is rhythm even when it sounds like chaos, right? Beautifully written, and I'm so glad you linked up to D2I!
ReplyDeleteYou've write is so good. Thanks. Rhythm? Its hard for me that my daughter ( 13) has irregular lesson at school her in Holland. Sometimes she unexpectedly at eleven o'clock back home. Or two o'clock in the afternoon. I try to have a drink with her and to chat a bit. But I'm out of my rhythm.
ReplyDeleteBlessing to you.
Sooooo true. I long for quiet, too (which almost never happens) but when it does, I sort of miss the noise. Never thought I'd ever say that. I am a person who, from my first day of life, thrived in peace and harmony - but sometimes that noise and chaos spells "family" - a very lovely word indeed!
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