Time For Myself?

In every parenting magazine I have read, from friends and family, and other mothers I meet as I go about my daily existence I hear the message "you need time for yourself". I believed that as well for about five years in fact. Daily I pursued "time for myself". I found, however, that the more I pursued "time for myself" the more I got behind, the more stressed out I felt, and the more I longed for "me time". I have to tell you..."me time" is over-rated. As I sought after God I discovered that my desire for "me time" was not in keeping with the proper priorities. Everything in my life was out of order, because I was putting "me" first. I began to put my life back into the proper order (God, husband, family, and everything else) and I have felt better for it. My relationship with God is improving, my husband is happier, I am able to really ENJOY my children, and I am not as stressed out. Of course, there are those who still believe strongly in "time for myself" and sacrifice greatly for it. Some even pay a sitter--not so they can go to work to help support the family, but--just to have time away from their kids. I was even asked to leave a very popular mother support organization, because my son wanted to be with me instead of in his class and I allowed him to stay with me. I was told "the mothers who come here pay money to get away from their kids...and they are distracted by your son in the group". Well, I don't know about you, but I didn't decide to be a mother so I could "get away from my kids". I LOVE being a mother...and I LOVE my kids.
Do you think that many will disagree with me about finding "time for myself"? Absolutely. Members of my own family already do...and they are Christians too. Everywhere I turn I hear the message that in order to be a good mother I need "time to myself". I am beginning to believe that message is the world's wisdom, and Christians unknowingly have adopted it. The Bible tells us " the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God". How true. We are called to separate ourselves from the world--to be different--to walk in LOVE. "The world will hate you...but, do not be afraid...I have overcome the world". I want my children to grow up feeling confident and secure. I don't think that my pursuit of "time for myself" was showing LOVE to my children or fostering confidence and security.

Lord, help me to not be afraid to do things Your way...to abandon the wisdom of the world in exchange for Yours.

I have learned that what I need is not "time for myself". I need HELP and ENCOURAGEMENT...and that is how those of us who believe as I do decided to start Mother's Village.