Sucker punched!

I had one of those profound moments today in the middle of doing some month end reports. I was plugging away at my reports, whilst listening to the girls in the background. Tianna (my eldest) was helping Angelee do some homework worksheets. (How I got the girls to do homework in the holidays is another story all together ;0) - hee hee). I was so struck by how encouraging and patient she was with her little sister. She would sweetly explain what to do when her little sis got stuck and she kept cheering her on every time she got something right. There was no irritation or frustration. They were actually having so much fun together doing homework?! Shocking, right! My heart swelled with mama pride at the new light I saw my big girl in. She has such a beautiful way of teaching little children. Then a thought sucker punched me. I used to be like that when I was a child, but somewhere along the line of growing up and becoming a responsible, busy adult I learned how to worry. I learned how to loose the sweetness of a fun-filled moment by becoming irritable or frustrated. My eyes opened to how tired I become because of the pace of my life at times. I rush around the kids doing so much "stuff" as a homemaker. Homework isn't always fun for me. As I listened to how easily Angelee was responding to her big sisters praise, patience and encouragement I realised how sweet this time should and could be. How had I learned how to worry and stress so much? It is actually a thief! A sweet-memory-making thief!
No wonder Jesus spoke so strongly against worry. How many verses in the Bible talk about worry, anxiety and fear? There are so many! All of a sudden it hit home for me today. Worry steals from you and tries to change who you are. It steals the simple joys out of so many sweet memories that could be made, because we become so busy stressing about the "cares of this world". I am so thankful that God is so committed to molding and shaping my life and for revealing areas of continual growth for me to still bloom and blossom in. I love the ways that He reveals truth to my heart ... so often through my precious children.
Thank you Tianna (my "little bear") for helping mommy see today that in worrying about the small stuff, I am most probably going to be missing out on a darn good memory! Your patient and playful example showed me what Jesus meant when He said "Be anxious for nothing ...". There are such sweet and beautiful memories waiting to be made even in our every day living at home and I for one am going to keep choosing and learning how not to let worry steal from me anymore.
All my love xxx
Janine