Surviving the difficult days: Every morning I like to enjoy a big mug of coffee on my back patio in solitude. It is a moment to myself and time with God. And depending on the day, it can literally be just for one moment. But I love that part of my day, quiet and peaceful.

Then as the day begins, everything is moving along, kids are working, schedules are planned, carpools are taken care of and then…..BOOM!…. daydreaming occurs, attitudes set in, siblings are annoying each other, your printer won’t work, and it’s 4:00pm and you still have no idea what to make for dinner! Some days can run so smoothly and some, not so much. Becoming overwhelmed and frustrated can easily take over.

Isn’t that just like life? We are going along on “cruise control” everything is going fine and then….BOOM!....we hit a speed bump and can be totally derailed. Difficult days will come, they always do. But so often my frustration sets in simply because I for-get to remember:

• Remember to take a break….sometimes I am so busy completing the tasks of the day and managing everyone’s schedule that I lose sight of what’s really important. When I feel the pressure of the day building and I am about to blow like Mt. Saint Helen’s, I have to make myself stop, take a deep breath, and remember.

For This DayOctober 2013 Vol.1, Issue 3

Everyone has either had “one of those days” or will have “one of those days”. It is a part of being human. Parenting and educating our children is a difficult task but can be so reward-ing. Read to see how Donna Rector keeps all the distractions in proper focus.

• Remember to get connected….have a friend to lean on when things are tough. Some of the best friendships I have made in life have come from women at Coram Deo. They encourage me and remind me I’m not alone in this journey.• Remember to renew yourself in God’s word…..if I have lost my joy, I am no lon-ger glorifying Him who sacrificed every-thing for me. I am no longer relying on the Holy Spirit and my “fruit” has withered. Remember who you are, and to whom you belong. “For the joy of the Lord is my strength” (Neh. 8:10)

When I take the time to remember, and analyze the situation at hand, I come away with a heart of thanksgiving. It doesn’t change the difficult days or make them magically disappear, but it does change the way I approach them.

I can get so distracted by performance and be-havior that I miss the big picture….what is my job right now in this season of life….to allow my child to be the best athlete, or push them to Magna Cum Laude or the greatest piano play-er? No! Mind you, those things are great but if that’s all I’m focused on I have missed the mark. I was reminded in church the other day during a worship song that summed it up this way:“All of life comes down to just one thing, that’s to know You , Oh Jesus, and to make you known”

photograph on cover courtesy of flickr user ChattOconeeNF

Be anxious for nothing, but in ev-erything by prayer and supplica-tion, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7