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I started on this post two nights ago and I am glad I did not finish it then. It would have been a whine fest about the woes of motherhood. I am sure I am not alone in this. I love my children but oh boy, three can be a little bit much sometimes. They are my greatest treasures and I am proud to be called their mom (most of the time, when they are on their best behavior when we are out and about). Kidding aside, being a mother is a herculean task and one that requires a lot of grace. Every moment. Every day. Pause. Reboot. Clean Slate.

As I ponder on this repeat and reboot process that goes on every day at my house, it magnifies the same grace I experience every day. The moment I get up from bed to the time I lay my head down after a hectic day, I am given this unencumbered and unequivocal gift from God. I do not even have to ask for it. God just gives it generously and freely. I just hope I do not use it in vain or take it for granted. I am not going to be preachy in this post. I just know that I cannot separate myself from who and what I am with Christ. If it shows in my writing, I hope it will encourage you.

With that reminder for the last two days, I have been more appreciative of my children and the short time I have with them before they become adults. Last night I was at the end of my thin rope (meaning my patience). It has been a long few months for us; what with my husband working long hours at his new(er) job and I have been left with most of the running around for everything. Did I say I work full-time? We just got home from soccer practice and I still need to get dinner ready. The boys started arguing (thank goodness, their big sister is at work) and whining and everything that boys do at their age (10 and 7). I was about ready to explode and then suddenly, I got reminded I have to show them grace. This was after our little video session (me recording the 7-year-old and showing him his whiny video). They were being little boys after all and it was not their fault I was having a hectic day already.

So we talked and had an adult conversation on how they need to change their behavior so that we can be in harmony together. Meaning – mom (me) will not be so mean every day (I do not think I am that mean though) and be so stressed out as soon she gets home. Now I am wondering if I will be like my children when God will do the “come to Jesus” moment with me. Will I be so willing to listen and change right away like I expect my kids to be? Will I be willing to become different?

What I know for sure is that I will probably do the same thing again (and maybe again) and ask for forgiveness (for the nth time). Oh, how this repeat and reboot process happens all the time! I am so glad that God’s mercies are new every morning. I am thankful and grateful. My cup runs over. I hope you will also realize your own repeat and reboot moments. When everything seems to close in and overwhelming, you are not alone. Just look up and look around you. You can start over again like I do every morning. You can rewrite the future. If you think it is impossible, just believe. You will get there. I am getting there. One step at a time.

Yours truly,

Vian

(Photo grabbed from rebootshow.fm)

I have been given an incentive to write more and make no more excuses. My husband just bought me a new laptop to replace my old netbook which was super slow. It was a total surprise purchase today. I had to walk around Best Buy for a few minutes to think it over because this means I have to be serious about working on my passion. This is game time. It was supposed to be game time a few years ago when I asked for the netbook but alas, life got a little hectic. I need to build on my passion which means I have to spend time on what I love doing, incentive or not. I can make it happen. It needs to happen to fuel my soul.

So, here I am in the darkness of our bedroom and with no glasses on, maneuvering and clicking in the dark to write my first with this brand-new laptop. Sleep eludes me right now so either I should blame it on my mind that is whirling with endless possibilities or on the time change today. Either way, tomorrow is another long day but I will not let it cast a shadow on my happiness.

As I am writing this, the time change slogan “Spring Forward” comes to mind. It is very fitting to what I am doing right now. I need to dream dreams that are bigger than me. I need to believe that the impossible can happen so I need to spring forward and seize the countless opportunities that will be coming my way. Hope springs eternal and Carpe Diem!

Join me on my journey and together let us move forward with our goals, with our dreams, and with a well of hope that never runs dry. You are probably in the same situation as I am – a working mom and a wife with a calendar full of activities for a growing family or maybe not. However, just like me you need a push to define yourself again. I hope to inspire you to take one step at a time with me. I do not know where this will lead us but I am excited. This is my incentive to spring forward – the adventure of what on earth I am here for. I am hopeful and anxious but not scared or afraid. Let us traverse this life together.

Yours truly,

Vian

Manny,

I respect your belief and you standing by what the Bible says. You have said that you do not agree with same sex relationship as is your right. No one should be mad at you or hate you for expressing your belief and your faith. You will now be forever branded as a bigot, narrow-minded idiot, and a hypocrite. Stand strong in your faith. Remember this too shall pass.

However, you drew the line at making gay people look like they do not deserve an ounce of humanity or dignity. Your belief should not make you feel superior to everyone else.  You cannot cast judgment because you do not have the right to do so. You cannot put someone down in order for you to be lifted higher.

Like you, I have also been saved by grace which is the gift of God. With this in mind, I am humbled every day and reminded that I need to be forgiven just like everyone else. I examine myself and try to see my faults before I can say I am holier than the rest of mankind.

All have fallen short; no one is better than the other. This kind of thinking turns people away instead of drawing them near. Who made us judge and jury? We need to show love to all people regardless of color, orientation, beliefs, or disposition in life.  Exemplifying the love and grace of God in action is what we need to do instead of resorting to reactionary judgment. When we pass through this life and on to the next; we will stand before God and be judged for the life we lived.

I leave you with this in mind:

1 Corinthians 13: 4-13

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

It has been a hectic day and it is almost time for bed. This word just popped into my head as I sit here working at this post.

There is time for everything. Right now, it is time to decompress, relax and take it easy. This morning’s reading was very relevant– good times and bad times are twin existences that cannot be denied. When times are good, be happy and when times are bad, take refuge in the fact that this too shall pass.

As I asses today’s events, I should have remembered to pause, appreciate, and live. These words help me remember and cope with the ever pressing demands of life, work, motherhood, and being alive which is a gift that should be treasured.

Here are some thoughts to share with you if you feel like everything is closing in on you like I am feeling right now. You just need a much needed break at the end of the day. I recommend that you find a spot in your house where you will not be interrupted. If your house is the source of your stress, go to your car. The key is finding a place where you can hear the quiet response of your heart.

Take a deep breath – right now, close your eyes. Inhale deeply and hold it for 3 seconds. You need to do it again until you feel your nerves calm down. I just did.

Let go – Let go of everything that makes you mad at the moment. If you are still stewing on today’s unfortunate events, it is time to stop.  The day is over and we cannot undo what has been done. They are in the past and we need to live in the present.

Calm down – Find out what will help you calm down. Is it a book? Is it listening to music? Is it meditation? Exercise? Do what works best for you. I know what works best for me – I find solace in music and writing. We need to lay our worries down because it will not add a day to our lives. We have to live our lives with a purpose.

Think positive – Yes, we were not our best today at work, at home, at a date, whatever the case maybe so what? There is room for growth. We can be better starting now. Identify your hot buttons so that you can respond better.  I should have known all of my hot buttons were being pressed all day. I realized that I should have reacted differently but I will not let the bad events of my day today stop me from believing tomorrow is going to be great.

Act Intentionally – When you start thinking positively then act with the best intentions. Speak power to yourself. Declare what you want to happen and act on it. The last two nights after I got home from work were very stressful. I am going to be intentional starting tomorrow and ensure that I leave the stress of work behind as soon as I get inside the house. My husband and I are usually good at this but January is a frenzied month for both of us at work.

Give Thanks – You are still alive and have hope. All is not lost yet. You will find your way.

I hope these simple steps have helped you. I hope you will sleep soundly tonight and wake up with a promise of a better day.  As always, I want to leave you with this: