I'm Done with the Grumpies

As my children were whining, I heard a brilliant idea from God.

New Morales Household Rule:
If you whine when you get in the car after school, you will be required to go to your room for half an hour to rest. You may sleep or read in your bed. Nothing else.

How often do we get overwhelmed and try to keep going, never taking the time to rest? We worry that if we stop, we might not get everything accomplished on our to-do list, or maybe we'll miss out on something.

My children do this, too. They might miss their video game time if they lie down for a nap. They might not get to have their friend over if they spend 30 minutes alone.

It's unhealthy to keep going and going and never take a break. I know that if I don't get enough rest, I get grumpy. When I get grumpy, my kids start to cry about how I'm always yelling. It's in these moments I know I need to stop what I'm doing and rest.

"...'This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.' For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.
Then he said to them, 'Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'
So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, 'Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.'" ~ Nehemiah 9-11 (NKJV - emphasis mine)

The people had not heard the Word of the Lord read to them before. How often do we grieve and sorrow like them because we have strayed from God's Word? 

I know that when the grumpies are trying to grab hold of my life, I need to run to the Word of God for comfort, to find strength, and to renew my joy. I need to be still, stop running crazy, and take time to be alone with my Father. Only then will I be able to function properly in all my other relationships.

What do you do when you feel a case of the grumpies coming on?   

A Bad Case of the Grumpies

Photo Courtesy of Steve Ford Elliott

I stepped out of the elementary school building, three kids in tow. Hoping for a peaceful afternoon after a few stressful days, I stopped short as my youngest son started in.

"I want ice cream," he stated in his whiniest voice. And didn't stop. Until two hours later. When Mom buckled and bought ice cream to satisfy her son's desire and her need for peace and quiet.

Meanwhile, my daughter decided she wanted to be sassy. She quipped several sentences out, meant to irritate anyone nearby. Brothers. Mom. The air around her...

I'd been substituting four days in a row and needed some quiet time. I've been taking care of my children while my husband works in Indiana - since mid-August. I haven't had a break from kids. Well, maybe twice, but when there's four of them and I have no one to help me handle all of their ups and downs each day, it doesn't seem like much. And the neighbor kids love to come to my house after school, which is fine with me. But I recognize my need for some me time in the midst of daily life with children.

While pondering this, I've come to a resounding compassion for single mothers. Working full time. Running kids to football practice. And birthday parties. And church events. Shopping with kids hanging from the cart, the shelves, and the bars they put at the edges of the cold item displays in the middle of the dairy and meat sections. Dinner. Showers. Nighttime prayers. And cries for Daddy. My heart goes out to you. I don't know how you do it without breaking.

At least I still have my husband. He may be miles away and only accessible by phone, but his children can hear his voice. They know he's still there for them. They get to see him once a month when he flies down to visit. And one day soon, we'll be reunited again.

The second thing I've realized in the midst of this ordeal is how often I tend to lean toward a bad case of the grumpies. How often do I find myself muttering to God under my breath? I can't do this anymore. Why do we have to be apart? Why so long? When will this end? Why can't they stop whining? When do I get a break, Lord? 

And then I realize: I still have a husband. My children are all healthy and in their right minds. We have a roof over our head, despite the continual issues with our furnace and our toilets. We have food on our table, even if it's only cereal, sandwiches, and pasta while we run two households. I have a good substitute teaching position. And we are blessed.

God is always with us, no matter how near or far our loved ones are. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. He holds us close. I took comfort in the following Psalm this morning as I thought once again on my current circumstance. I hope you find comfort in it, too.

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills -

From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.