1 Mama, 1 Shower, Everyday

After I had my third child I was understandably a little overwhelmed. My daughter started half-day PreK 3 weeks after my son was born. I originally thought this was a great idea. Turned out to be one of the worst mistakes I've ever made. Between feeding schedules and loading up all three kids in the car twice a day, and interfering with naps, having any time for my self was virtually out of the question. If I ever did have a minute I usually spent it in a sort of comma/daze staring at the TV or computer. It seemed like I rarely showered. If I did it was a quick in and out before anyone started screaming. After about 4 months of this I realized I had to make time for me, even if it was just a 15 minute shower. So that was my goal. For the last 6 months I have made taking a shower number one priority in my life. This probably sounds kind of strange, but making myself take a shower everyday has been a big part of why I still have my sanity. Some days that's all the "me" time I get. But in that short time under the relaxing water I'm able to let go of everything and just breathe. No screaming, no demanding, no questions, no TV, no computer, nothing. I step out feeling relaxed and refreshed. I feel energized and ready to take on what ever comes my way. I've since been able to add other things like exercising and veg out time. With constantly being demanded of and fighting fires all day, it's tough getting that time.
When this blog topic originally came to my mind I wasn't sure where to take it. I was wondering how to "fit" God into it. It was actually in the shower that I realized "fitting" God into my life, or a blog for that matter, isn't possible. Not when He's my everything. He's my very breath. I breathe Jesus in and out all day long. That's how I really make it. With out Him I could probably still function to some degree but there would be no joy, no peace, and no harmony in my family. It would all be chaos. When things get tough, when I feel like shouting at my children I can just...breathe. Unlike a shower or other "me" time, which involves careful planning and preparation, I can close my eyes and meet Jesus any time of the day. I can ask Him for help at any moment. When I was pregnant with my third and still had a very strong willed 1 year old boy running around, who I was having to carry up and down the stairs, there were times I could literally feel Father's arms around me, holding me up. He gave me strength. It's a wonderful thing, being able to trust in Him. There was a time when I didn't. So silly if you think about it. He's all powerful, literally holding the world in His hand, with unlimited resources, unfailing, faithful, true. Did I mention He's love love love.  I know there are things in this life that hurt and cause us to question Him. I've had my share of those kinds of experiences. But can we really do anything about those things anyway? What do we have to loose by relying on Him?
So all this is running through my mind in the shower...thank God for showers. Moms. Just breathe...and shower.

Deuteronomy 32 MSG

 ^1-5 Listen, Heavens, I have something to tell you. Attention, Earth, I've got a mouth full of words. My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain,
      my words arrive like morning dew,
   Like a sprinkling rain on new grass,
      like spring showers on the garden.
   For it's God's Name I'm preaching—
      respond to the greatness of our God!
   The Rock: His works are perfect,
      and the way he works is fair and just;
   A God you can depend upon, no exceptions,
      a straight-arrow God....