Lorraine had had another miserable day at work. The deadlines and job expectations were overwhelming. She drove to the day care center to pick up her two kids, and it turned real sour due to the bickering that continued on the way home, at the supper table, and right up to bedtime. As she got her kids tucked into bed, she was really frazzled and still in her work clothes.She gave out a huge sigh behind the kids’ bedroom door--being a solo mom was no picnic. She proceeded to change into her old slacks and sweatshirt and decided to wash her hair.
The kids, unfortunately, were still wired and scrapping and bickering in their bedroom. Their noise level increased until her patience finally grew thin, and the storm within began to explode. She wrapped a towel around her damp hair, walked into their room, raised her voice a few decibels to make her point that this was bedtime. When she left the boys’ bedroom, she overheard her 4 year old say to his brother: "Who was that?"
Lent is a time to learn how to stop planning, to stop being certain, to stop telling others, to set aside distractions of media, mail and cell phone, even to stop reading and to just sit quietly and scrutinize our heart’s choices. In such a circumstance the first thing that we need to do is to set aside a whirlwind of conflicting demands, memories, responsibilities, and unfinished tasks.
As you work at sorting and setting aside, only then can you begin to hear the still small voice of God’s desire-–the meaning of love in our daily life that gives direction and clarity to choices, that serves as water to our thirst for meaning and joy. It is a discipline to shut off, turn away, and seek the stillness, but it is only when that discipline of dwelling briefly in the desert is inserted into our day that we can make sense of our lives and allow God’s will to lead us to the "green pastures" of right decision and peace.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who suffer from caregiver fatigue. It’s no picnic caring for our noisy kids, cranky parents, stubborn in-laws, or demanding authorities. Give all my friends MORE patience and the wisdom to know when to "step back" and say "enough for today!"
My photo for today is an "oldie" but hopefully inspires thoughts of Spring!
