Fix Your Focus

My mama always said “Your attitude will make you or break you.” So much truth in that simple phrase! And yet I have often failed to check my attitude when it comes to motherhood or various circumstances of adulating. Which we all now know to be a trap! No breaks or shared parenting, nonstop motion to get 1000 things done, the never ending cycle of bills, etc. easily cloud my attitude. TOO EASILY.

In addition, I see this nasty attitude spilling over into my interaction with the kids and being imitated by them. Now isn't that the most compelling reason to change? Seeing the negative habits and attitudes of yourself reflected in your kids. In response, I loathe myself, which sends me further down the rabbit hole of overwhelmed anxiety, frustration and depression. It’s a nasty little cycle. Or at least it was until I decide to examine the catalyst for this cycle. Upon examination, I was kind of surprised to discover it was my attitude or more accurately my focus, which determined my attitude, that was the impetus for such sucky cycle. (Gotta love that alliteration right there!)

It takes the right focus and attitude.

My focus was on my shortcomings, my missteps or even my hypothetical failures, which produced an attitude of indignation for my responsibilities. Instead, I should have been more focused on the lack of impact my missteps, uh ohs and oopsies we’re having on my kiddos. Or focused on the fact that a few things did go right or didn’t fall completely apart despite my shortcomings. That’s not to say I shouldn’t work at being a better example of certain things for my children and improve areas of my personality and habits that need attention because I most definitely should. Definitely! And I am! But in a way that is edifying not judgmental, harsh or defeating.

My conduct as the leader of my home right now is a worship to God. It is a thank you note of gratitude for entrusting me with such tasks and empowering me to fulfill them. It’s not that I HAVE to do anything. It’s that I GET to do them. I GET to take my kids all over town to their activities. I GET to make sure they have running water and electricity. I GET to cook them dinner and watch their faces scrunch up as they eat slightly burnt rice (Lol, only slightly kidding here. My cooking has improved). Remembering this is the hard part, but I am memorizing two scriptures to help with that. These scriptures remind me of God’s character, His will for my life and that I am called to a purpose greater than myself.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:11-12‬ 

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So, as I’m heart-checking and adjusting my attitudes and posture to worship in my motherhood, I realize even more what it takes to “delight in the Lord” and trust His will & provision. It takes the right focus & attitude.

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