Frustrated??

This idea has been stuck in my thoughts … almost daily … because it is really true for me. Last week I had a really hard mothering day. I wanted to do just about anything other than the tasks at hand… dealing with little ones and household chores. I wanted to sleep and just do fun “Heather” things. I even recognized that I was frustrated which really just equaled selfishness. This is the original post that helped me realize what goes on in my life:

“‘I’m so frustrated.’ Those words (or similar ones) pop into my head many times an hour and out of my mouth a number of times a day. It’s no wonder — five children, homeschooling, living overseas, and life in a “fish bowl” community. Although I love my life and wouldn’t choose another path, the frustration comes. That constant state of agitation was wearing on me and it definitely wasn’t doing anything to help my kids. And then it dawned on me…”frustrated” is just a nice excusable word for selfishness.” Janet, Preparing the Soil

It’s true. I’ve tried hard to change my thoughts and words about being FRUSTRATED. If I really am truthful with myself, I can explain what is going on in a more positive way… and it will help me realize that really I’m just feeling selfish. Then I can take action to resolve my problem… or at least deal with it better.

That day, last week, when I was having a hard mothering day, I came across this blog Serving His Children in UgandaMy favorite quote from Renee:

“That night I was given the option to choose hope; to be a giver of hope, and I took it! And let me tell you, it’s not been easy. Oh no, it’s been extremely hard. I’ve had to do things that I never wanted to do, and make decisions I had no desire to make. Following God to the hard places is not always easy, that’s why they’re called “hard places” and oh my goodness, have we been to those hard places. But, Christ has been our strength, our refuge, and our constant HOPE along this long and difficult path!”

And this gal who adopted 13 girls, Katie Davis, I’m amazed… she has chosen the hard road to GIVE… her entire life… what a blessing she is to so many in need.I love that she realizes that these women and children she is helping, not only need physical nourishment and care, but they need to feel the Love of God. “If one’s hope is not in Christ, [you] simply believe that life is hard and then you die.” Her judgment of these people turns to sorrow and compassion and love. “People tell me I am brave. People tell me I am strong. People tell me good job. Well here is the truth of it. I am really not that brave, I am not really that strong, and I am not doing anything spectacular. I am just doing what God called me to do as a follower of Him. Feed His sheep, do unto the least of His people.”

How sorry do you think I felt for myself after reading these blogs? Yah – not very sorry.

It’s not that I think I need to go to Africa to fulfill my mission… but I could at least be grateful daily for all I’ve been given… choose to be unselfish and give fully with LOVE. Just keep swimming… just keep swimming… just keep swimming.

Love this encouragement from others who live a hard life with Hope in Christ.