I can do it!
I try really really hard through the year to have a daily devotional as a family. It is the perfect way to start out our day and it is one of the only times in the day my kids have a chance to sit and listen and practice holding still and paying attention to someone else talking (since we homeschool…our “schooling” looks different than what most people see as school.) Our devotionals consist of things like reading scriptures, family prayer, memorizing something, complimenting each other’s accomplishments, and provides a time to discuss our calendar for the day/week. Some days it is a struggle to get through it all in 30 mins and other days we are all so focussed that it is an incredible experience.

This summer, unfortunately, it has been difficult to keep up with devotionals every day. We just have a different schedule than normal and more activities in the mornings, so we have days pass when we forget to do it. And it really stinks! I can feel the stress levels rising in my children when it has been days since doing devotional. I can feel myself acting more selfishly and being less understanding — and looking at my children differently. I see them as a job, instead of as people I enjoy being with. I’m still with them all day every day, but I’m not able to learn about their thoughts and feelings without that 30 minute devotional every morning. I’m not getting that 30 mins of discussion and time with them without distractions.
So, with this summer being hard, I have a choice.
1. I can say “oh well! We can just survive the summer and then we’ll just start again in the fall.”
2. I can say “This is just too hard. I give up! I’ve already failed.”
3. I can say “Well, let’s do it today. I’ve missed all of last week…but let’s start again today! I can do it!”
Obviously it would be best to choose option 3. And that’s what I keep doing. I keep trying because I see the benefits of trying my best.
In thinking about this whole situation, I realized how many things in our lives present us with these choices. As humans, we aren’t ever perfectly consistent at anything. So, when we realize we’ve failed, what do we choose to do with that realization? If we’re naturally drawn to choose option 1 or 2, that’s ok — but my challenge to us is to find a way we can learn to better choose option 3. It can be hard. But as we choose to keep trying and give ourselves the benefit of the doubt, we will be happier. We will be able to accomplish things we never thought we could do.
What are ways you have found help you choose option 3? Try to choose option 3 today and watch how your kids react and feel the change in yourself.
