Keep On Keepin' On

To all my dear friends who really, really strive to keep it positive,  

 

Keep it up!

 

When your husband is in the backyard weeding the garden and you're in the house getting dinner ready while little kids are pulling on your pant legs and you want to scream at the top of your lungs out the back door for backup, don't. Instead just go to him and ask for a helping hand.

 

When your husband has a chance to sneak away for a weekend to fish and shoot and relax while you're home with your four offspring and he sends you this picture via text:

 

 

 

and you want to respond with this picture via text:

 

Don't. Instead reply and let him know he's missed. Or don't reply at all.

 

 

When you've been up with the kids since 5:30am and he's sleeping in and you want to pinch a kid right outside his bedroom door just so they'll scream and wake him up, don't. Instead remind yourself that 5 days a week (and often 7) he's up and out the door at the crack of dawn to provide for his family. And let him sleep.

 

When the laundry pile is so large it appears it may eat your 6 month old and it makes you want to pull out your hair and scream, "I can't do it all!", don't. Instead ask your husband if the two of you can divide and conquer the pile by the soft glow of the television once the kids are in bed.

 

When you've spent all your energy doing what you feel is important to keep a home and family running and he's spent all his energy doing what he feels is important to keep a home and family running and you begin to feel your tasks are superior, don't. Instead thank him for the important role he plays in your family.

 

Because when the day draws to a close and your critical words have been left unspoken, you can rest assured that your self-control and gentleness have spoken volumes more.

 

 

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11