Well, for me it is my power perfume. That's right, when I walk into a board room, I can have the best suit, and a brand new pair of Tory Burch heals, but if I am not wearing my COCO Chanel, something just isn't right. But man, when I put 3 squirts on in the master bathroom, or the hotel room, I immediately transform into a serious HR bad ass (can I say that in my own blog!?!?!). That's right, I can win any negotiation, demand immediate attention to a serious employee issue, control an audience of 300+, shake hands with the CEO, and make a high level recruit feel like our company and offer is the best in the oil patch!!
So, fast forward almost 6 weeks into our LEAP OF FAITH in North Dakota...I was feeling alone, bored, unmotivated, like a Tiger in a Cage (look for this title in a future post!), and as if the world was caving in. All of a sudden, it was time to pick the CRAZIES up from school and wouldn't you know it, but this new SAHM had found herself in front of the TV all day catching up on "The Real Housewives," "Kardashians," and some TLC show about a Baylor (Sic 'em') couple who had Quints by Surprise. (BTW, that woman is wayyyyyy too calm and organized. She truly amazes me).
Anyway, back to our story...Oh yes, we are completely caught up on all reality TV, and the house is a TOTAL disaster. A few loads of laundry had been folded, (being on the couch all day and all), but no dinner cooked, no mopped floors, no cleaning of the dreaded toilets, etc. I finally got the nerve to push myself off the couch to get the CRAZIES, but first I needed to, at a minimum, change out of my PJ bottoms. In reality, the teachers had already seen them that morning, but seriously Lisa, you look just awful. I was able to dig out some yoga pants (not that they had ever been actually used for Yoga, like EVER), found a clean shirt, and put my hair in a bun. I was pretty sure I hadn't showered in over 2 days, so I grabbed for some perfume. Instead of going for my Bath and Body Works coconut scent...I went for it. Yup, the COCO. I hadn't had any on since my last week in Houston. Instantly, I was transformed into a mom who had it together, definitely was NOT driving a mini-van, and felt that she could do this stay at home thing. Come on Lisa, you have coached hundreds of grown men...you got this girl. It's just 3 little CRAZY people, cleaning, cooking, and a fairly, no definitely picky husband who is extra stressed due to his first semester in law school. Suck it up woman. As Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Or Proverbs 16:9...The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Truth is...at that moment, I wanted to run back to the tall sky scrapers and intense conversations of whether we had enough people to drill those wells or not, from my not so distant past. It was the perfume...it took me back to a place where I had control, knew what to expect (if that is even possible in the HR profession), received tons of kudos and pats on the back, and made a BIG difference. That's when it hit me...smack in the face or nose rather. God had placed me here in this very moment to make a difference with my family, my husband, my children, my parents, my nephews, my brothers and my sister-in-laws lives. Lisa, you can put just as much energy into your home life as you were putting into your professional life. These are currently the steps God has placed before you at this moment and time. BAM...it was like a photo bomb just happened to my life in the bathroom mirror...
Am I starting to turn the SAHM reality corner? Yes. Am I having more moments where I am completely 110% engaged with my children? Yes. Am I perfect? Definitely not! Am I losing it more than before? Definitely Yes. Did I shop for warm weather clothing for the CRAZIES all day today instead of clean the house? Yes. We are supposed to get the first snow this weekend, so in my mind it was justified. Can my COCO Chanel help me to feel just as important and powerful in my new SAHM role? Yes, I think so. But above all God will guide me through it.
What are those things that give you the feeling of importance or power? Are they the right things? What is God asking you to work on today? Where is he pushing you to make a change or take that small LEAP OF FAITH? It doesn't have to be big...it might be simply taking a new route to work in the morning. It might be getting up 15 minutes earlier, or surprising the hubby with a date night. It might even include getting CRAZY and taking the kids for donuts on Fridays! (Got that idea long ago from a great IT friend by the way! Her children eat healthier and more Gluten free than most...but their Friday Donut days are non-negotiable!!) Whatever it might be, we need to not be so hard on ourselves. One day at a time, one parental moment at a time...do just one small thing better tomorrow than today. God has already taken that leap for you and me!!
No comments:
Post a Comment