Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Survival Mode

You know what I mean, right?

When life seems more than I can keep up with

and when I'm struggling to write

or create

or even maintain order.

When work multiplies faster than I can complete it and joy seems to have run dry.

Sister, friend, daughter, mom, wife, homeschooling mama ~ I know you can relate. I know you've been there or are there with me now.

I can offer you all the right answers on how to remedy these feelings. But, those feelings are still very real and I'm just keeping it real here as well.

So, today instead of answers - I'm offering understanding. Admitting I feel this way too. And, I'm going to leave it at that for today - if you're in this place, would you leave a comment. And if you leave a comment would you come back and lift up those names left here in prayer.

Praying that God would meet us in this place. Knowing that apart from Him, we will never feel differently. Pray that God would bless this sweet one (you who are here now) and meet her in her struggle. Pray that He would infuse with courage where we are discouraged and overwhelmed. That we would have our hearts and eyes fixed on Him and that Survival Mode would become Thriving Mode!

PS: Reading this and this may bless too!

29 comments:

Annie said...

I'm right there with you right now. My husband has had this week off for vacation, but we've stayed home. Love his heart, he's stayed here to help me clean and return order to the insanity of our home. I've thanked God for him so many times.

As for how to stay on top of things and away from that feeling of being overwhelmed, I'm cluelessly hopeless. No amount of decluttering, scaling back or delegation of duties has helped me so far.

You'll continue in my prayers.

Shelby said...

I am right there with you. I have 3 kids and my husband has been away for a month in PR helping with the flooding from the huricain. My basement was a little wet from a leak and so it was in a ahem. My DM came over yesterday and helped me clean.

Will be praying for you Monica:) Love you heart my friend.

Shelby

Sarah said...

I am THERE. and it's depressing. praying for joy! :)

Mom said...

Dearest Monica, I'm finding that there are times of "Survival Mode" throughout life -- but the busy years of being home raising children are especially challenging. I remember many times feeling overwhelmed -- but I did survive (and so did you and Carrie!) and look at you both now! I praise God that you are both godly wives and mothers doing a great job at raising your precious children and managing your homes. Praying today that Survival Mode will be Thriving Mode for you and all moms with young families! Love, Mom

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is exactly how I feel! Thanks for the encouraging words on this muddled and overwhelming day. I am lifting you and the other dear ladies up in prayer--it's helpful to know we're not alone. :)

Blessings!

Mrs. Rebekah S.

Leanne said...

you said it really well, Monica. I just found out I have pertussis (whooping cough)and I had to send two of my boys away, and I can't really go anywhere and I'm supposed to be on bedrest. I hate bedrest.... but I also just really want to get better and get back to normal life...
I will be praying for you. Bedrest is good for your prayer life☺
love you, sister in Christ! Leanne

*carrie* said...

Thanks for sharing, Monica. I woke up this morning thinking through everything I need to get done today, and it felt so daunting I wanted to stay in bed. (So I did a few more minutes, which of course actually makes things worse as it cut out some time!)

Here's to putting one foot in front of the other . . .

Love you!

fixedonHIM said...

Yes, I am there too. Overwhelmed with responsibility that I can't seem to keep up with. When I am resolved to conquer I am met with many appealing distractions. When I take the path of distraction instead of the path of progression... then I must deal with the war inside of me resulting from the choices I have made.

So, where is all the peace and joy in what appears to be an unproductive life?? Only at the feet of Jesus... there in that place, with eyes fixed on HIM, and a heart abandoned to His.

Praise the Lord for His grace and patience with us! Oh, how He loves us no matter how much of a failure we may feel in our own eyes. My prayer is that HE would be glorified right here- in the thick of this BIG mess. For without Him, I truly could do none of this.

Thank you, Monica for providing an opportunity for us all to let go of our frustrations, relate, and pray for one another. Bless you!

Season of Life said...

Monica ~

I believe all women can relate to that feeling of being overwhelmed that can even sometimes be crippling...stopping us in our tracks preventing us for doing, serving, managing...

I read a friend's post today that could help put things back into the right perspective...a sweet quote that on an old plaque that I think sums it up nicely. A reminder that our PERSPECTIVE DOES AFFECT our ATTITUDES...this little quote puts things into a good perspective. ;-) May you be encouraged as you visit her today: http://brightlight412.blogspot.com/2011/09/thankful-for-dishes.html

Blessings and Prayers ~

Jarnette

Anonymous said...

I'm here - I am a homeschooling mom with 6 children and 3 of them under the age of 5 - I am also the wife of an unsaved husband who works violent crimes for the FBI - survival mode is how I function - I do thank God for my weakness though, it is in those times that I grow closer to Him...
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he [Jesus] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I cannot imagine God's awesome power on a "normal" day....God's power made perfect on my bad days is truly mind blowing!!! I rest in that Truth!!

Lisa said...

I am struggling with my life right now. Taking care of my disabled husband, working full time, trying to budget and be a good steward of our money, trying to start a side business to help with the finances and getting no support from my family is taking it's tole on me. I do not feel strong right now--I want to crawl into bed and stay there forever. I feel like I am failing at everything. Money is tight, My DH is getting worse by the day and I have no idea how to help him. My children are in their late teens and early twenties and are so very wrapped up in their lives. You would think that with them growing up,it would be less stressful on me but I miss them. I guess empty nest syndrome is setting in. I am feeling selfish and wanting more in my life right now. I am craving culture--I miss going to the theater, art museums, parks and taking long walks with my Hubby. I feel cheated. I feel guilty because I feel cheated. I am being so self centered and I pray that God will give me stregnth to deal with my life in a positive way. I pray for joy in my home again.
So sorry for the long drawn out pity party! I love your blog Monica;it helps ground me and helps me realise
what is of importance in my life.
Praying for you.
Thank you,
Lisa

Lisa said...

I am so thankful for your post today. It couldn't have come at a better time.

Kristin said...

most definitely there! we are in the process of a bathroom remodel (not planned - moisture/mold issues) and have to go shower/bathe at friends homes. it's been almost 4 weeks now!

and my three year old son is having serious constipation issues and started this morning sick to his stomach - even better when you don't have a working tub.

on top of that i am seven months pregnant. so overall i feel frustrated, angry, and a bit helpless. sending prayers for everyone who is in survival mode.

Angela said...

I'm right here today too. My devotional spoke to me today about it too. Funny how that so often happens.
http://devotional.upperroom.org/

tina said...

Times like this I think of Philippians 4:13! I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!

Kristin said...

I've been in survival mode lately too! We began homeschooling this year and I have a very head strong 2 1/2 year old. I have felt so drained that I can barely even get out of bed in the morning. I feel so defeated at times. I think God has been trying to show me to stop trying to be self-sufficient and to rely on HIM alone for my strength. I've read this verse a million times, but this week this is my verse that I relate to.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Sometimes I'm at a loss for words on what to pray for and I just call out to my Father in one simple word.. Help! I know He is always faithful!

veronica said...

add me to that prayer list!

forr2girls said...

that's exactly how i'm feeling today too... life is so hard sometimes! i really would appreciate your prayers.

Wendi said...

I am so there! I just wrote a post a few minutes ago along the same lines. I strive for perfection, but feel so imperfect. All we can do is keep moving forward, one day or one second at a time. I'll be praying for you!

ktquilts said...

Dealing with this too. Thanks so much for the post.

Ami said...

My specific prayer this week has been for God to take the rush, the feeling behind, the discouragement and hopelessness over never getting it all done, and transform it so I can embrace a rhythm of work. So my view can be more His, not fretting over getting it all done, but working diligently-peacefully-cheerfully-and letting it be enough to simply trust Him to bless my labors.

I'll pray that for you, too.

Jenny said...

Please pray for my family as well. I am also a homeschooling mom of 3 kids age 3 and under. My husband is pastoring and leading a team of men to teach at a pastor's conference in India for 2 weeks. Pray for the gospel of Christ's kingdom to be advanced and for His will to be done! Pray also for me and the other mothers at home. Motherhood is missions too! Praying for you other mothers as well.

Mrs. Pear said...

YES!

Working very hard on my attitude too! Rather than being disappointed that BOTH girls are sick on my husband's vacation week I am giving thanks that the Lord provided extra hands during their most challenging hours, that Daddy was able to get up with us during the night so that little ones got snuggled while sipping water for dry throats and humidifiers were set up, praising God for the well stocked pantry and freezer, and being very grateful for the CSA box showing up over night to fill the fridge and a crock pot of veggie soup!

Not always successful, but if my attitude is better, so is everything else.

Kristin said...

Wow, amazing how many of us can relate so easily on this level! I feel like we've been in survival mode for quite some time now and I'm feeling pretty weary. There are also so many heavy situations going on around us that can so easily weigh me down too. Plenty of opportunity to cast all my cares on the Lord, for He cares for me!

Will be praying for you too!

Love,
Kristin

Heather said...

I'm here, too. We have a new baby, just started our first year of homeschooling, and my husband has a new job. All huge blessings!

I like how you reminded us, Monica, that without Him we can do nothing. And honestly, we can't do EVERYTHING that we want to do either--something's gotta give, and may God give us wisdom about what that is. (Tonight it's dishes. I read to & cuddled with my baby boy instead.)

Thank you for this post!

Maria said...

Lately the pace has felt faster and less organised than usual. Thanks for the encouragement regarding 'quiet'. What a blessing to be in a broad community of believers... looking to Him, Who knows all of us and loves us madly, the Author, to write on our hearts with words of life and hope.

allthingspertaining.blogspot.com said...

Lately has felt too fast-paced. Thank you for your reminder on 'quiet'... looking to Him, Peace, the precious Author, to write on our hearts words of life and hope in this season.

~katie~ said...

It's been a busy week here, Monica, and I'm just now catching up on some blog reading...I've been in that survival mode heavily on some days!!! Hubby just returned home after being gone for a few weeks, but, while he's been gone, sometimes survival mode is all I could give. =) But God is so good! I know He'll never allow me more than I can handle ~ but I guess, with trusting in that, I have to also trust He knows *how much* I can handle! Why do I forget that part??? =)

I was letting the "chaos" of some moments overwhelm my heart and steal my joy also.

I just prayed for you and the other ladies who left comments before me this week ~ praying the Lord will meet us where we are and calm our hearts to rest in His goodness. Don't we serve an amazing Savior?!? His grace is sufficient!!

Thanks for encouraging my heart this morning, Monica!!

*Psalm 61:2*
*Psalm 51:12*

May the Lord make those verses a reality in each of our lives as we enter the weekend...

Blessings,
Katie

Agnes said...

Hi Monica and sorry I read your post so late but I pray for everybody in survival mode today. I know it is hard and sometimes I don't understand why it is so hard but I know deep inside that everything will be all right at the end, I just have to listen.
Praying for all