That pic below shows the temp that the truck read yesterday. My younger kids were sunburned. Too much slip-n-slide, and too little sunblock. The baby was hot. And we had just finished waiting. Waiting for 15 minutes for my youngest daughter, Grace, to emerge from her ballet class. Waiting in a hot truck.
We had just finished picking up 16 tomato plants and 12 pepper plants from my parents that were going to be planted in my garden. Today. But, yesterday, the allure of new plants waiting in the back quickly wilted as the temperature rose.
Tempers began to flare, and my patience started to fade. Once Grace arrived chaos took over. I could feel myself becoming angry and irritated and just wanted it quiet. Then I yelled,
Welcome ladies and gentlemen
to the Amazing Ballet Rollercoaster.
Strap in and hold on tight.
You are in for a ride of your life!!
I opened the windows and drove home — narrating our ride — that all too familiar ride — as if it were the most amazing rollercoaster ride ever. Hills that they’ve stared at blankly for weeks became magical. Hannah and Chloe didn’t know quite what to think — even though their mother was telling people to hold on and acting quite silly — they knew it was better than chaos. By the time we were several miles from home Hannah grabbed my phone and caught some pics. Even the skeptic realized the benefit.
Better than anarchy, right? Yet so many times I’m too tired to change patterns and I just slip into defeat. The irony? It takes more energy and frustration to try and stop fighting than it did to engage them and make our drive fun.
It reminds me of my prayers. It’s so easy to vent, or complain, or plead. But to sit with God and enjoy His presence despite the present? A much wiser, and more inspiring, decision. And that’s what it is — a choice. A choice to rise above, to believe, and to live with joy — in any circumstance. Life is bursting with difficulties, sorrows, pains, and frustrations. The hills and roads and paths worn with just daily life. Despite all of that — God is — and seeking Him and glorifying Him is the route I ache to take. God is here in everything — I’ve just lost sight of it — just as like the road home from ballet had lost it’s excitement. I just need to wake up, and see Him — again.
12 comments
Great perspective! Oh, and nice to meet you!
Oh, so true!! As you described your trek home it so reminded me of the trips with my niece and nephews. I love to make the mundane magical…my brother and sister-in-law just stare in wonder – How do you manage to make things that are so unexciting so fun? Your story summed it up! Thanks for the inspiration today…the work is the same – the decision is different (:
XOXO
Michele
I liked this so much! Note to self for when I have children. THanks for sharing your struggles and how you work through them!
Blessings,
Katherine
very much worth it!
What an imaginitive solution to an otherwise sticky and icky situation.
I want you to be my mother! What fun.
Your kids will remember moments like this forever.
What an awesome post! You’ve set a great example for the rest of us. I’ve been defeated more times than I can count but how many times have I risen up and changed direction? Thanks for showing us it’s worth it! Blessings!!!
Thanks for this little mothering tip! I love the picture of the babies in the back!
That last picture says it all! 🙂 What a great choice and wise words.
i always adore how you are able to look at everything in life and find Truthful lessons in the midst of all the daily’s. i must remember this as a parent… and a child of God: “It takes more energy and frustration to try and stop fighting than it did to engage them and make our drive fun.” thank you rachel for teaching me so much!
What fun…wish I’d been in on the ride!! Love the adventurous side of frustration 😉
Not having had small children for a while, I’d forgotten how to strap in a carseat. The other day I had a friend’s little one with me and I’d strapped his carseat into my car incorrectly to go around the block to my house…as we made our first turn, he went sideways, but instead of being afraid, my little four-year-old friend said, “Better than a roller coaster, this is!” Too fun!!
what a great picture! and what a creative mommy you are!
I don’t know if you are looking for one but you so deserve a book deal. Great writing, real and full of hope. You should consider putting some of your best posts together and get a book out. You are gifted!