The Most Important Work

"Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work." C.S. Lewis

I've been feeling overwhelmed a lot lately. There's a list of tasks a mile long that I've been trying to get done for weeks... but I am barely keeping my head above water with the dishes and the laundry and the clutter and the children. We caught a nasty cold at the end of December, and a handful of us are still coughing through the nights.

This sickness, and trying to recover from two and a half weeks away in which the two big kids did not sleep well at all... well, it's dragged my body down to bone weary, and I'm having a hard time catching up.

At times like these I'm tempted to shelf the storybooks, throw on Netflix for the kids, take a power nap- then get my bottom in high gear fixing and cleaning and doing. While that is fine and dandy every once and again, I don't want my perspective to be off.

The kids are my most important work. 

When I remember that, we spend long sweet mornings in p..j's- doing our school work, reading lots of great books, making play dough and horse playing. These mornings are glorious. Sure, my to do list is sadly neglected. But the relationships fed and the memories built are worth it. 

There is a balance here. Obviously our families need to be fed and have clean socks to wear and a clean and comfortable space to rest and learn and live in. All of these things require a lot of work. Am I right?

But in our doing, let's not lose focus. Who are we doing these things for? Are we being sweet to the precious little souls we are raising when they interrupt our work for the 100th time that morning? 

This past weekend I tried to go to bed earlier and to take better care of myself, because I want to catch up. I want to feel well, and be ready and able for this most important task of shepherding the 3 souls God has entrusted to my care. 

Go to it Mama. Your most important work today is right under your nose.