Redefining Superwoman

Although love Alicia Key's song, Superwoman, I have to admit that my inner Superwoman often hurts me more than she helps me.

She encourages me to add just one more thing to the list. Instead of letting me celebrate small accomplishments, she spurs me on to bigger and better goals. And when I try to move at a manageable pace, she says "hurry up, don't take so long."

Superwoman forgets that slow and steady wins the race. She's so busy worrying about her ever expanding "to do" list that she neglects reading her Bible. She doesn't remember that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. She doesn't have time to think on these things.

Superwoman has really been whispering to me this week. She's been asking me why I don't jog instead of just walking for an hour. She's been wondering why I gained so much weight, and she's been asking just how long it's going to take me to lose it. And she's really, really wanted me to put off folding laundry and reading to the kids so I could tackle more important items on my to do list.

She thankfully didn't win this week. Knowing me, I'm sure she will win at some point, and then I'll have to hush her up quickly and not let her stand around and gloat about how I've failed again.

However, in the meantime I am working to reprogram Superwoman. I really like Alicia Key's script:

"Even when I'm a mess, I still put on my vest, with an S on my chest. Oh yes, I'm a Superwoman."

But instead of the vest with an S, I'll put on the full armor of God. And I'll work with Superwoman to do one load of laundry every day, walk for one hour a day, read to my children daily, and take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ.

New Year's Resolutions

If you're like me, every year you make a long list of things you'll do perfectly in the new year. You'll keep your house spotless, lovingly care for your husband, be more patient with your children, make organic meals, run a marathon and lose 10... 20... 30... 40 pounds. For me, the number seems to grow every year.

I usually manage to keep my resolutions for maybe a day or two. I fall off the wagon little by little, and by the year's end, I'm left with nothing but guilt, and more resolutions.

This year, I've decided to accept the fact that I will never be a perfectly organized, size 6, loving, patient wife and mom. However, I can be more organized, more healthy, more loving and more patient. And I can work on building habits that will lead me toward those goals.

So this year, I'm making one resolution - to build healthy habits in my home, family and personal life. And I'm starting two weeks early!

This week, my new habits are to walk for one hour per day, read to my children daily and wash, fold and put away one load of laundry every day.

I'm started this blog as a companion to a website I am building to share what I'm learning with others. I hope you'll join me on this journey to make my house a home!