Raising Schuurmans: Thoughts from this past week

This week, we FINALLY got the Christmas juices flowing. The main tree was up, but now Marcus has a tree of his own in his room, there’s a wreath on our door, garland is up, and *MOST* presents are wrapped and under the tree. I also put out the Christmas books for us to read to and with Marcus that help explain the true Christmas story.

But I’ll tell you what. Satan is the great deceiver and distracter. He’s good at taking my focus off Jesus and putting it on my “to-do” list. As a card-carrying member of the type-A club, I struggle with this daily. I want to have our house in perfect order, clothes clean and put away in their proper place, and a well-balanced, home-cooked meal at least 5 nights a week. I want to keep Mark’s bread route papers organized and labeled with the correct dates, log the salon receipts each day and keep up with who sold what and how much, and I really need to plan the Christmas luncheons for both Bella Chic and Headlines. In addition, in an ideal “want” world, I want a clean car, to have next year’s church nursery schedule already made out, volunteers for Kids Kitchen lined up, and have my Son Seekers lessons already printed with coordinating crafts ready to go. I want so badly to create Christmas cards and send them to all 100 people in both our extended families(if that happens, that’ll only be a miracle from God above). On TOP of everything, Marcus’ homeschooling lessons need ample time each day, creative ideas to showcase new letters and their sounds, and I want seasonal ideas to synchronize with what I’m teaching him. Oh, did I mention I try to go to the gym 2-3 times a week? My metabolism isn’t the same as it used to be in college…

Why do I say all that? Because this is just the tip of the iceberg of what goes on in this crazy head of mine constantly, specifically today. What does reality look like? Piles of laundry, heaps of mixed up papers, dishes and bottles overflowing from the sink onto the kitchen counter, exhaustion setting in, children disillusioned and fussy, while NOTHING really getting done.

So I had an epiphany today. Why not prioritize and do one thing well. Even if it’s just ONE thing. I took the boys to the gym and had a long list of places to go and things to do afterwards. I decided to just come home. After all, I’m a “home-maker,” right? Since we’re studying the letter I this week, I got out the play-doh and helped Marcus make blocks so we could build an igloo. I ripped up my Type-A Club card and even let him mix the play-doh colors. Eek! After I put Titus down for a nap we played a game of farm animal memory and it was as if I had a new child. He was joyous, polite, and content. Not whinny, fussy, and complaining.

I’m starting today to get my act together, but only where it really counts. Earthly speaking, I’m going to put my immediate family first and the rest will fall into place. And if it doesn’t – oh well. The looks of disappointment and dismay from others doesn’t compare to the sweetness I see in the eyes of the man I love or our two boys. I need to properly care for Mark, Marcus, and Titus, teach and be The Gospel to them, and work on the rest with whatever is left over. I’ve never been so disorganized, messy, and late for appointments in all my life. Yet, I’ve not ever been filled with such joy from the Holy Spirit, had a heart overflowing with love for my three boys, and I’ve never let myself have this much fun. Christmas can be stressful for many. But for me and my house, it’s a fun time to point back to the birth of our Savior! Merry Christmas, y’all!