Five Minute Friday: Expectation

Fridays are for writing for five minutes.  Only five minutes.  Stream-of-consciousness style. Like you did when you were in 9th grade.  Write and see what comes out. There’s no right or wrong.  {Hosted by the Gypsy Mama}

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

Today’s prompt is:

expectation

Go.

I’ve been trying to change my expectations for the day by changing a habit.  It’s a simple thing – something I have known I should be doing.  But I have always found an excuse or a reason why I won’t do it today.  I’m talking about getting up before my kids.  It was easier when I just had Elaine.  If we both slept in, no big deal.  But with two kiddos, I am finding that is it vital to my day’s perspective to rise before the children.  Once their feet hit the floor, my day shifts into high gear…ready or not.

Ben has been helping me with this by trying to be strict with bedtime.  I think we are both night owls and we easily stay up late finishing tasks or watching a movie.  But we have been making a great effort to go to bed by 10:30.  That extra 30 minutes to an hour and a half of sleep is making a big difference in my mornings.

With my alarm and coffee pot set to wake me up around 6:30, I have been able to get my shower and ready my Bible before the “mommy” cries begin.  That last part is vital.  When I get to spend time with God – without interruption – before my children demand my attention, then my whole perspective is changed.  My expectations for the day can be based on what God’s Word says, and not what I think may happen.

In those few minutes of quiet I can get God’s perspective on my life…my day.  I can expect a good day.  He helps me to see past the difficult circumstances of being a mommy to little kids…past the temper tantrums, the demanding shouts, the fighting over toys, and the dirty diapers & endless piles of dishes.  He helps me to see that my children are important, and all of these seemingly mundane tasks are helping to shape their character and their future.  He helps me to see that I can choose joy, no matter what may happen in my day.  Without this time, I look at my planner, feel instantly overwhelmed, and my expectations take a nose dive.  It’s going to be a bad day.

And so…with God’s perspective I can kick it into high gear along with my children…but I can do it with a smile, and with energy, and with anticipation of what the day holds.  I expect to have fun.  To make it through.  I don’t have to dread the moment my kids wake up.  I don’t have to feel like I’m just barely keeping my head above water – even though sometimes I am.

I don’t like early mornings.  I don’t like having a set bedtime.  I don’t like alarm clocks.  But I like the difference these things make…because they allow me to operate on God’s perspective and God’s expectations instead of my own.

Stop.