Small Shifts, Significant Impacts

Laura
Laura

I have a new little goal for myself this year ladies!

Laura
Anna
Anna

Let’s hear it!!

Anna
Laura
Laura

I’m just trying to clear off the kitchen table each night.

Laura
Michelle
Michelle

Oooh! That’s a good one! How has it been going?

Michelle
Laura
Laura

I haven’t done it every single day, but when I do, it helps me think a little clearer that morning!

Laura
Anna
Anna

Hey, anything that helps give clarity of mind is awesome in my world!! What made you decide that you needed to do this?

Anna
Laura
Laura

When we came down to the table each morning, there were always little piles on the table of school papers or unfinished crafts or a few little Legos, and then one thing would lead to another, and the boys were playing and not eating breakfast, and then we were running behind and then I was yelling to hurry up! Ugh…

Laura
Anna
Anna

Oh yeah, I totally get that. It’s like a snowball effect.

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Laura, you are so smart!! So basically you looked at an area of your life that wasn’t working well and tried to figure out how to fix it?

Michelle
Laura
Laura

Right, just a small shift in the everyday routine that needed a little adjusting. How about you guys? Trying anything new?

Laura
Anna
Anna

I want to just take 15 minutes a day to have fun with my family. I have such a hard time putting down my to-do list constantly running in my head.

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Oh man, I hear you. It is my constant struggle in motherhood. I didn’t think it would be so hard but when there’s dishes in the sink and stuff to be done, I have a really hard time turning it off! So that is awesome that you’re doing something proactive about it!

Michelle
Laura
Laura

Yes, but it’s just one choice you are making, you know? Play a game for a few minutes instead of doing those pesky dishes. They aren’t going anywhere!

Laura
Anna
Anna

They are not. And I always used to think that I’ll relax with my family after I get all my “stuff” done, but I realized that I will never actually get to the bottom of that list. So I might as well stop and have a little fun moment. Like today we played Peanuts (card game)!!!

Anna
Laura
Laura

Games are so good for family bonding!

Laura
Michelle
Michelle

So good! So you shifted the order of your to-do list to put your time with family higher on the list, huh?

Michelle
Anna
Anna

Oh yeah! I guess I did!

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

I am kinda trying something like that too right now when it comes to bedtime. It started because we just didn’t feel like we had enough intentional time with our girls.

Michelle
Laura
Laura

Is there ever enough of that?!

Laura
Michelle
Michelle

Ha, no. But we decided we needed to do something about it, and especially at bedtime because that is never the best time in the day for us. Our plan that we started last week is that my husband lays with one child for 10 minutes and me with the other, and then vise versa for 10 minutes.

Michelle
Laura
Laura

What a great idea! I bet they love that. And I bet you guys will really get to know about their little lives so well.

Laura
Anna
Anna

Plus you won’t lose your mind waiting for just one child to go to bed!

Anna
Laura
Laura

It’s just interesting that we all have these little changes and even when they are not done perfectly, they’re making a difference in our lives. Your change might not be what I need to do and my changes aren’t what you need. But these small adjustments accomplish the same things for each of us.

Laura
Anna
Anna

So we’re all just moving toward being connected with our families and with the person that we want to be, and even more connected with God, one baby step at a time.

Anna

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV
  •  “…being confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6, NIV

Music to inspire you:

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

Living Out the Truth

Ideas to try:

  • I (Laura) have been realizing lately that I tend to make these big, almost grandiose plans.  I see how I want my life to be or even just how I want my week to be, and I write down this whole list of how to accomplish that.  I don’t take into consideration that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to actually do everything on that list. Basically I’m setting myself up for failure.  I see that something needs to shift so I can scale way back in the big plans department, if you know what I mean. If you’re like me, maybe you could join me in praying for wisdom to take it slow and small.  When I’m tempted to plan too far ahead, I’m asking God to remind me in that moment to stop and have wisdom about what He wants me to do. He wants to bring my life into fullness, He doesn’t want me to do it myself because I can’t.  I’m praying that He will show me something small that He will help me to do. And then I’m going to ask how He wants me to do that small thing. Like with clearing off my table. I might clear it off at 10:30p.m. right before bed. But if I’m too tired, I’m going to receive grace to clear it off at 7:00a.m. before the boys come down for breakfast.  

Treasured Products we love:

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more.

In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}