Making The Most Of The Time I Have!

My cup doesn't just runneth over it's spilling all over the table and down to the floor! Our busy-ness, or marathon of activities, has me concerned,..... am I giving Mr P the time he needs? Granted, I can't add hours into the day, but I can make the most of the hours I have been given.

I need to make certain that when we do get even just a moment together I am truly listening to what he has to say, not multi-tasking as I am "listening." He needs to know that he is important to me and that I am proud of his efforts to support his family, while also going to grad school.

Late last night after his class, and his difficult day of trying to get home from a business trip, he was sharing the frustrations of his day. I was preparing lunches for the next day, and thinking of a mental "to do list" while "listening." His day would have tried the patience of Job as flight after flight became cancelled, and he spent most of the day on standby for several flights, only to finally get the last one, which still gave him time to make it to his class only 20 minutes late. To top it off, his luggage was lost.

He had hoped he'd be home early in the afternoon to grab a few hours with us before his class. Instead of compassionately listening to his overly tiring day, I selfishly thought of my own long afternoon. Three young Patterson's were missing their Daddy, and were counting on seeing him after school bus time. Redirecting them into a cupcake cooking, and decorating time soothed their disappointment but mine was still there, as I had missed him too. Thankfully the Lord held my tongue from complaining and all was peaceful.

I have been pondering today, as I know days such as these are sure to be on our horizon yet again. I want to do my best to protect our marriage during this challenging time. I want to hold on to the treasure we have found in each other so we may look back on these years with fondness instead of regret. I am realizing my attitude towards his work, career, and free time (if he can find some!) will be the compass for how our family reacts to this challenge. I'm sure you've heard the saying, "If mamma's not happy, no ones happy." Before complaining, I need to prayerfully consider, am I building him up or tearing him down?



Dear God,

You have Mr P and I on a challenging journey with three beautiful children, a wonderful church family, supportive jobs and an opportunity for growth for Mr P in advanced schooling. These are all such wonderful blessings. Help me, when the days are long to see the blessings. Help me to build up my husband. May he feel loved and safe in his home. Help me to truly listen so that hurts, can be soothed and confidence lifted. Hear my prayer, help us remember the covenant we made, watch over our family and may Your mercy and compassion cover us.

In Jesus Name, Amen.



Exodus 2:24 "God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant weith Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Isrealites and was concerned about them."


2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Fther of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves hae received from God."


Philippians 2:1-3 "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than your selves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

A Peaceful Nights Rest

The Patterson five have been very busy this past week and we are still striving forward. Mr P started his MBA class. He has a test and presentation due this week, yet he also has a business trip for work. Hopefully studying on the airplane and researching at night on the Internet will get him by. During his free time he took care of our children two nights, while I worked, and helped me teach Sunday School. Super Man would have trouble keeping up with Mr P.

Meanwhile on the home front, is a very tired Mommy. As I was yawning through dinner yearning for an early bedtime, which was not at all a bad idea since we almost missed the bus this morning, and my oldest cried during homework time,- I shared how tired I was with the children. My oldest said, "Well of course you are tired. Look at all you do for us." I almost flipped out of my chair at this revelation from my son. My middle son took the cue and thanked me for supper, homework help and for dessert which had not yet been served, or seen ,so that may have been a ploy. Of course they did get dessert!

I had an easy time getting them ready for bed, the boys were most helpful. After devotion and night time prayers I tucked them in youngest to oldest. My oldest asked me to sing a prayer that I still sing with his sister, that we sang when he was little too.

Father we thank thee for the night
And for the pleasant morning light
For rest and food and loving care
and for all that makes life fair

Father please help me to be good
Do unto others as I should
In all I do in work or play
To be more loving every day
Amen

As I sang, I gently brushed my fingers through his hair and marveled at his lavishly long eyelashes thanking God for this beautiful child, who though difficult at times can also be so incredible insightful and sweet.

I can see the Lord working in their hearts and it moves me to tears for what more could a mom hope for than for her children to love the Lord.

Here is a poem by Ruth Bell Graham for all of the tired mothers out there.

God
bless all young mothers
at end of day,
kneeling wearily with each
small one
to hear them pray.
Too tired to rise when done.......
and yet, they do,
longing just to sleep
one whole night through.

Too tired to sleep....
too tired to pray....
God,
bless all young mothers
at close of day.


God bless you all and may you have a peaceful night's rest!

Breathe In Me, Breath Of God

My daughter has breathing issues. I dare not say asthma, as we still have not officially been given that diagnosis. I pray she will "grow out of this" as the doctors hope. She's done very well this past spring and summer.

Here we are, back into the runny nose season, and we groaned as she coughed and wheezed while running during a birthday party this weekend. She has no idea that this worries her Mommy and Daddy as we try to let her do all that she can!

We've started back on our nebulizer routine that she will probably be on for the rest of the winter. As long as she is not coughing we can just get by with one a day, but if she is coughing she may need more. She is such a trooper and tolerates this 10 to 20 minutes like a mature young lady.

Tonight my prayers are for her, that God may breath into her small and sometimes tight lungs, giving her peace, rest, deep, and refreshing breaths that keep her running and playing like all three years old should.

Just thinking of these breaths reminds me of an old hymn

Breathe on me, breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

And do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God,

Until my heart is pure,

Until with Thee I will one will,To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,

Blend all my soul with Thine,

Until this earthly part of me Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God,

So shall I never die,

But live with Thee the perfect life Of Thine eternity.

Words by Edwin Hatch

Dear God,

I thank you for keeping our daughter in Your right hand. I thank you for her doctors who have taught Mr P and I how to help her breathe more comfortably. I am thankful for the medications that help immediately and preventively. I am thankful for the seven months she did not need these medications, as we felt it was such a milestone in her wee life time. I continue to pray for our doctors wisdom as they guide us in her care. Help us also Lord to trust You with our worries and to rejoice in the life she has been given, that truly is such a healthy and happy life!

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ezekiel 37:5 "Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live."

Genesis 2:7 "Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;"