Where is my heart today??

Today I had that sinking feeling. You know the one if you're a mom... or if you're not a mom and you've just been really overwhelmed and think you're going to blow. That was me today. To set the stage I was making dinner and it was past dinner time. My two year old is sick and cranky and whiny and hungry and she is trying to "help" me make dinner. All my attempts to get her to go play are not working. I had a busy day away from home, so I had been rushing around: feeding the my three month old baby, doing the dishes, nursing my baby boy, cleaning up the living room, attaching the baby to me to nurse (again!?!), and now finally I was making dinner. The oldest, who is five, was peppering me with questions throughout this whole time and unfortunately my answers had gotten to "just let me finish dinner, so I can think" and "I can't even think to answer that right now; please just let me finish dinner!". You get the idea. The events that lead to me losing control are my two-year-old dropping a can into the bowl of marinade, my two-year-old dropping a cake on the floor (upside-down in the pan with lid), and my two-year-old dropping a bowl of mandarin oranges all over the floor. (Thank the Lord the bowl was plastic!) At that point I needed to get away, but couldn't leave the kitchen with the chicken browning on the stove, so I did the next best thing: I stuck my head into the cupboard. After a few deep breaths I saw the verse I had taped on the inside: Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Let me explain why this hit me like a fist in the gut. This made me realize that my treasure was getting dinner on time like a good wife, having the house clean so my husband could relax (like he could relax with me as wired up as I was! Ha!), and making a healthy meal to take care of my children. Instead I realized my heart was thinking that feeding my hungry child something an hour ago would have been better for my hungry whiny child, I was wanting to hold my sick child instead of telling her to go away, and having a welcoming home for my husband didn't necessarily mean one that was spotless and with dinner on the table at 5:30 sharp. I thank the Lord that his pep talk worked. I had my oldest set the table and told her how proud I was of her. She just wanted me to give her a little of my time. I sat on the floor next to my two-year-old girl and told her I would open another can of oranges. I hugged my husband and told him how much I appreciated him working for us and holding the baby so I could cook dinner. Thank you Lord for having me put that verse in my cupboard months ago. Help me to treasure the things I should, so my heart will be there also. Amen. Jacquie Parker Mom's Life Director