Just Pretend It’s Sunday

I’m just going to do it.

I haven’t posted since May, so that makes this post seem especially important, and therefore, especially difficult to write.

Ahhh!  The pressure! (I know I needn’t feel this way, but I do.)

Ok.  I’m moving on now…

My summer, just like yours I’m sure, absolutely flew by and here we are approaching October.  I love Fall.  I love the crisp air, the falling leaves and the smell of the earth.  What I don’t love is what typically happens when school starts.  Imagine a scene with me:

It’s 4:45 pm and the sun is coming in the window at a slanted angle.  Girls are on the couch snacking and watching a show, younger boys have finished homework and are playing with the neighbors.  Older boys are working at the dairy.  The house is not clean, but definitely “good-enough.”  I’ve accomplished what I could for the time-being if I set reasonable expectations, and my husband will be coming home soon.  Nothing terribly wrong here, right?

Oh wait.  Did I mention that it’s Monday??

This typical scenario was a recent occurrence for me, but add in that I could feel anxiety building in my belly because it was Monday.  It was a weekday.

I put my hand on my belly, took a breath and tried to determine what would be causing anxiety.  And then I realized that I was dreading what was to come next.  Making dinner, corralling people with the intension of enjoying a meal together, launching into the evening bedtime routine, and then attacking one or two more things that I hadn’t had an opportunity to accomplish earlier.

So, essentially, I had finished my day job and was getting ready to start my night job.  Bleh.  No wonder I felt anxious and slightly depressed.

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, work-from-home mom, or a go-to-work mom, you know what I’m talking about.  Basically, you work all day, and then guess what? You get to work some more! (And notice I did say “get”, because having a family is definitely a blessing…)

I needed help!  I didn’t want to feel anxious or overwhelmed.  Granted, there are a few easy outs occasionally (a.k.a ordering pizza), but really there is no long-term escape.  Moms have a ton of work to do, and if we aren’t careful, days just run together in a never-ending cycle.

And being perfectly good, like He is, the Lord gave me help.  He whispered to my heart,

        “Just pretend it’s Sunday.“

Let me tell you, Just pretend it’s Sunday, has been transformational for me.  I love it when God knows just what I need.  Or rather, when I KNOW that He knows just what I need.

I plan to rest on Sundays.  I still fix food, especially for the girls. (Although I don’t typically cook fresh dinners on the weekends.  We just pull out left-overs and have something Chris’s family calls a “pick dinner”- pick what you want and eat it!)  On Saturday, I make sure my calendar is clear for Sunday and look at Monday so I can prep mentally.  As much as possible, I try to be off home-work duty by telling my boys to ask me for help before Sunday.  I engage the kids, but use the girls’ nap time to do whatever the heck I want.  Watch T.V. Cross-stitch. Sleep. Snuggle a boy or the dog. Read.

I love Sundays. I LOVE that God told me to just pretend it’s Sunday.

So, how have I implemented this concept, and why I am I sharing it?

Here’s the how:

Basically, I have cut way back on my daily to-do list. I have all the regular responsibilities involved in taking care of my family, my home and myself, and then I add on one or two extra things.  Today, I’m writing this post.  Anaya gets home from school around 4:10, and at that point, I’m transitioning into my daily Sunday night.  Anything I haven’t accomplished gets deleted from my calendar or moved to another day when I think I’ll be able to do it.  Then, I “come home” from work.  I’m done working for the day… I move into the time of day where I enjoy the people I love.  That does involve cooking dinner, but something about telling myself that I’m now just loving my family and prepping to enjoy them has really made a difference for me.  I do things that I might do on Sunday like drink a glass of wine while I cook or lay down on the couch for a little bit if I’m worn out. After dinner, we put the girls to bed, and I rest before we go to bed.  No more work.  No more e-mails.  No more laundry. No more cleaning.  I do something that feels relaxing or fun.  Usually it looks like chilling with Chris and watching a little television, working on a craft, or doing my nails.

Here’s the why:

I’m sharing this because I’ve gone from 27 hours of hired help and my super helpful mother-in-law living with us to – nothing! No extra help.  I thought I was going to die and instead, here I am thriving.  Thank you, Jesus!  This Sunday night mentality has blessed me and my family richly, and I hope it helps you, too.  I pray for grace and mercy if you feel like you can never stop working.  I pray for the extra help you need (I so understand seasons of needing extra help!!) and the courage to cut out life-sucking “stuff”- whatever your “stuff” happens to be.