Judges
Guilt is a funny thing. Sometimes I feel guilty for very good reasons. If I've neglected to be loving to my husband, if I've been grumpy with the kids, if I say something gossipy...all good reasons to feel guilty. Nobody likes to feel guilty, and it reminds me to change.
Sometimes, however, I've noticed that the enemy can use guilt as a club, or even as a wedge between me and God. Have you ever felt guilty for missing your daily Bible reading and then didn't do it the next day either because of that guilty feeling? I have.
I have to be careful and use discernment about guilt feelings. They don't always come from God. I grew up with the example of my "type A", list making, get things done mom. She was always loving, but was always on the move. I never remember her resting. She was either working at work, or working at home unless she was sick. Even now, in her retirement, she hardly slows down. So, in raising my own family, I tend to feel guilty at the end of the day if I haven't accomplished a lot and don't have everything crossed off my list. Yes, at times I haven't been a very good steward of my day, but often I'm letting a list make me feel inadequate.
Sometimes, raising families and keeping a home are not about crossing things off our list. Don't let those lists and guilt feelings rob you of joy and therefore rob your family of joy (if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!). I want to encourage you as I remind myself. Just for today, let's stop and smell the roses, let the day unfold, love and help our families, beautify our surroundings, and take pleasure in it. Join me, won't you?
Close to My Heart
10 comments:
Thank you for this post. I am a list maker, and I know exactly what you mean about the "end of the day" guilt. Thanks for the reminder to slow down, appreciat the little things, and remember that nothing is more important that being there for your loved ones.
I grew up with a type A mom too, but I think that made me rebel a little too much into a type Z ;) !
But I do feel guilty when I don't keep up on things around the house, but I don't think that the kids will remember having a spotless home, but they will remember that Mom was there and that there was a lot of love at home.
Thanks for the great post!
Mindy
well said. I had one of "those" days today. grvzsxceat post!
Thank you for sharing! I'm the queen of feeling guilty and I have to really fight down the feeling when I know it's not from the Lord. This was a wonderful post!
Love,
Terri
While reading this I thought of an interview I heard with Steven Curtis Chapman, before the death of his daughter. He was talking about his CD, This Moment. He reminded me, just as you have, to cherish every moment with the little ones, because all too soon they'll be gone.
Thanks...
Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Thanks for this post...it just really brought home, again, the point of this passage. Satan condemns driving a wedge between me and my Savior. Jesus convicts and draws me unto Himself.
Thank you so much for posting that, head to my blog I was just struggling with that issue and blogged about it. I grew up with a mom like yours and its a curse not to be able relax without feeling guilty about it. Up until your post though where you mentioned your mom I didnt even realize that if I dont change my ways my daughter will grow up with the same "curse". Thank you!
I enjoy your blog very much. I am a wanna be stay at home mom. As a single mother that just isn't possible but I feel like one at heart. Sometimes guilt is a big part of being a single mother which makes me so thankful for God's love and grace for me. A few years ago my phrase for the day was, "Find the Joy". My children still say that from time to time.
Thank you, La
Parenting is just one big guilt trip! I have had so many regretful moments through the years of "why did/n't I do that?!" "whatever was I thinking?" And now we have just dropped our last child at West Point. In looking back at the day, we coulda/shoulda/woulda done this that and the other after getting separated from him, but instead we _____. Oh, my...a whole new set of guilts! I can only blame it on IGNORANCE! And now that I know better...well, I am out of a job.
I needed this post so much! Thank you! Like Terri, I am the Queen of Guilt also, especially when I'm sitting crafting. This post was very encouraging, thanks!
Love, Tina :)
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