Yesterday was a VERY PRODUCTIVE day for me. I really like productive days.... I feel good about what I get done. I feel pleased with myself for what I have done. I feel like I can hold my head up just a bit higher - not in pride, but not needing to be ashamed either. I feel a sense of being worth more on those days.
1. Up and dressed before any of the family
2. Spent time with the Lord and in prayer -
before anyone was up.
3. Made a breakfast casserole - again, before anyone was up...... Turned on the music to wake up the family in a nice way and called everyone to a nice hot breakfast.
(By the way, this is not a brag fest... hang in there with me to see where this is going....)
6. Made 3 large loaves of homemade bread using the really strong kefir in place of the water. The dough was different and looked odd, but the bread tastes really good.
These have been sitting for about 10-14 days and are ready to strain and bottle for use.
New kombucha was started and put into the pantry to sit for another 10-14 days, when we will do it all over again.
All of these things were done and the kitchen was almost all cleaned up by 11:00 am. Like I said, it was a very productive morning..... Can you see why I felt so pleased? For lunch, rather than fixing something, we ate banana bread ..... it was good and we all loved it. For supper, we ended up buying pizza since my energy was gone and I really hadn't done much of anything all afternoon. Neither meal was actually "healthy", but that's okay once in a while.
Today, I was up to see my husband off and get the day started, but oh, how I wanted to go back to bed. By 10:00 this morning, I couldn't stay up any longer.... and I went to bed..... and slept soundly for 2 hours and stayed in bed for 2 more. You see the thyroid and adrenal fatigue issues that I have mean that I have no reserves, so when I overdo it, I pay a price. I have to budget my energy. Today, I was REALLY tired..... and wasn't able to be productive until about 3:00 PM! I spent today's energy - yesterday, so it wasn't available to me today.
I used to have many days like yesterday, where I would zip through the day and through my "to do list" and feel so good about myself and about my day and I was truly seeking to honor the Lord by fulfilling my responsibilities. My husband was generally pretty pleased and since I was quite the "super woman", he would ask me to do something more.. and I did. When tired, I could keep going.... after all, I was serving the Lord..... and I really was, BUT..... things were out of balance.
I have to admit that I FEEL like I am worth more when I work so hard and have a lot to show for it. Sometimes, I think I have felt that GOD loves me more on days like that...... but that is very wrong thinking. God loves me..... on days I DO a lot......and on days when I do a little..... or on days when I am sick and get *gasp* NOTHING done. His love does not depend on what I do.
So.... can I enjoy getting a LOT done? YES! Should I get my self-worth from that? NO! God loves me.... and I want to honor and serve Him.... I need to be careful that I am not out of balance. Do you struggle with feeling better about yourself when you get a lot done... or when you win something... or when you have succeeded? Maybe we need to get our security from knowing that God loves us..... and not from our own performance. He is the same yesterday and today and forever..... and He is the One we need to trust.... not our own ability.
Thank you for visiting.... I hope you have a very good day...
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i think this is very common with women ! you may be struggling with health issues to compound it but we all expect so much of ourselves and often feel that it wasn't enough. On a super productive day yes we feel better but i think it is good to remind ourselves to look through the lens of a week or a month sometimes too!:)
ReplyDeleteThat is so true - and actually my health problems have come about as a result of this imbalance, which is why I hope we can change our focus on this.... it is easier to STAY well, than it is to try to GET WELL. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThank you for sharing. It seems I have SUPER productive days followed by not-very-productive days...and I definitely feel guilty when I'm not "productive." (And, often, what that really means isn't that I wasn't "productive" - but that my productivity was more relational or inward than can be seen in the house or around the farm!)
ReplyDeleteSo true - we tend to be hardworking even when "resting".... I know I tend to be brainstorming about what I need to prepare for school or what I need to fix for meals or how I can help one of my children w/ some problem they are having or... a myriad of other things.... when I am taking a "break"! :) It is so much easier to feel pleased with my productivity when I have a LOT to SHOW for it.... a lot that others can also see. So glad someone else understands what I meant in this post. Thank you for visiting!! :)
DeleteI struggle with this as well! I have to remember that God loves me just as much on my productive days as the days I am struggling to keep up with my rambunctious kids. We need to give ourselves lots of grace!
ReplyDeleteThat is true.... Thank you for stopping by. :)
DeleteThis post was shared, and I too feel much better on productive days. I want the best for my family and I want to be able to enjoy visitors instead of feeling like I cannot enjoy a visit because all that needs to be done.I can focus better so I feel better. Spending time with God first thing in the morning helps me have a better attitude throughout the day. Just reading all you got done that morning reminds me of people I know who go through the same cycle. I too would be totally wiped out if I ate banana bread as even a chocolate bar can make me so so tired the next day.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your comment... we do keep learning and hopefully, doing better as we grow. Thank you for sharing. :)
DeleteThank you for this wonderful encouragement - I am a list-maker and love good, productive days... But I need to remember God loves me even when I am not having a great day in terms of what has been achieved, etc. Blessings, Kelly-Anne
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE those productive days w/ my long lists completed too... and can feel so inadequate on days that aren't like that... I am so glad that God loves us..... NOT according to what we do, but according to His faithfulness. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteSome days are more productive than others, I think it's important to take it easy sometimes. Thank you for sharing. Hello from Wellness Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteThere are really productive days...and some that aren't, but our worth stays the same in God's eyes. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteHi Joy, I love being productive too but have to tell myself that if I have given love, hugs and/or smiles to husband and children, then I have served that day too (it is just another form of productivity and something to think about on those down in the dump days)...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing on the Art of Homemaking Mondays this week!
So true... I have always heard how "fast" the days with our children fly by... and I am seeing that more and more... what a blessing to be able to impact their lives on a daily basis...and to build memories... and to minister to our husbands. Making each day "count" can look different on different days. :)
DeleteI've been really slacking in blog-world, but I decided to visit here after seeing your post in google+, when I saw your photo, I told my husband it's either several cakes or cream corn, so I had to see. So glad I did, I must say I have been feeling the same, good days then blah days, I probable am suffering from same problems. BTW your banana breads are beautiful and look so tasty.
ReplyDeleteThey really were wonderful... notice the word, "were".... hmmm... need to make some more soon as they do not last long around here. :) I am so glad you visited... and sorry you are having "blah" days... I just started a health plan/protocol for myself... and am determined to build my health... as I was answering this, I realized that may make a good blog post... maybe others could use some ideas too, so I am going to be thinking about how to do that... I hope you have more good days than blah.... thank you for stopping by.... it was nice to "meet" you. :)
DeleteOh, how I needed this post....truly, the words were written for me, my friend. I greatly appreciate you and your posts - thank you for being a testimony for Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs!
It is so easy to measure our worth in a way that is not God's way... it is so easy to feel pushed to do more, be more, and to feel inadequate when we don't meet whatever standard we have put out there as a goal. I have tried so hard to live the "Supermom" life for so many years... it's too bad I had to experience health issues before taking serious steps to change that... I sure hope other women can learn to do things differently without the bigger consequences. Thank you for being an encouragement... I am thankful for these comments. :)
DeleteI have a list of debilities that interfere with my productivity, as well as my self esteem.While I know that God loves us, regardless of our abilities and accomplishments, my pride sometimes gets in my way, when it comes to accepting the crazy fluctuations in my abilities and accomplishments. Some days, I can outlast the Eveready bunny. Other days, I need assistance, just to get out of bed to take care of myself. Most days, I am somewhere in between, riding that pendulum.Thank you for this reminder. I've been pretty hard on myself, lately - and it's not my job to step in and judge myself. I need to leave that up to Him.
ReplyDeleteGood for you to realize that... we are so hard on ourselves... and it can be so hard to accept our limitations, but they are from the Lord. I have been working on a new health protocol for myself.. and the consistency is really helping my health. I hope to do a post on it soon... I hope you will return. Thank you for visiting and may your disabilities decrease.
DeleteSounds like a great morning. I love the look of the breakfast casserole? How many are you feeding. Lots of food and fun. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was actually banana bread... and I make extra for the freezer, so that we have a few ahead for breakfasts. :) We do feed a lot around here though... my husband and I have 6 kids. :) What a blessing.
DeleteI just wrote about feeling that You are Enough without completing a huge to do list. Timely message.
ReplyDeleteThat is true.... but it feels so much better to complete that big list, so there is a constant need for giving this over to the Lord. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteWow, that is a lot of banana bread, I love the photo! Thanks for sharing at What'd You Do This Weekend?!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is- I love having that many loaves on hand- at least for a few days!!! (My family eats a lot!) :) That photo is fun.... thank you for visiting... :)
DeleteWow, you really did have a productive day! I can imagine all of the work and ingredients that went in to that much banana bread. I know that some day s are more productive than others. I don't worry about it. I have things that I like to accomplish during the week, but don't worry about a specific timeline! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
It really was a productive day... I tend to bake extra when I can... as it saves time and money in the long run... and it sure feels good to pack so many loaves away into the freezer. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteOh, my...so I just read your tea and photography post and went back to the Art of Homemaking link up to peruse. This title jumped out at me...I started reading, and then thought, "Wait a minute! This background looks familiar!" I'd never visited your blog before, but apparently God thought I should definitely get to know you ! ;-) I never realized that, yes, I DO feel like I am worth more when I am more productive. Most of my family, myself included, struggle with ADD and some mental health issues that often make it very difficult to "get things done". This post is a true blessing to me - thank you so much for sharing. I will be praying for you this weeek, and definitely visiting your blog more! Blessings, Lisa
ReplyDeleteI am so glad this post touched a place in your heart. I love how God leads us to things that can help. I am so glad you will be visiting more... and feel free to sign up to have the posts sent right to your email, if you wish. Thank you so much for visiting and praying... and I will be praying for you.
DeleteThanks for your honesty! I think we all struggle with that question of personal worth!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Leslie
You're welcome. It does seem like something we all struggle with at one time or another. Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteThis is the first time I've read your blog and I have to say this post is very timely. As a former "superwoman" myself, I know how much I struggle with wondering what's happening to me. I have fibromyalgia and with that comes chronic fatigue. I can be flying through the house one day cleaning everything and do load after load of laundry and anything else that needs doing. The next morning I plan another amazing day only to find out I am in too much pain to even get out of bed. And like you, I head back to bed after breakfast because I can't even keep my eyes open. It's an awful seesaw of ability and I do tend to be very hard on myself. Thank you for reminding me to be gentle on myself. Good luck with your new protocol.
ReplyDeleteThank you.... again and again, I am reminded that like Scripture says, "moderation in all things". It is so easy to don that Superwoman cape and feel we can "do it all" which is one of the enemy's lies to get us feeling pride in our own abilities. How much better to be consistent... and wise. I hope you get feeling better. Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteI can definitely relate!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your conclusion whole heartily.
I need to get my self worth from God, and his love and interest in me. :)
So true.... and we can so easily be pulled from that... it is a daily need to submit to Him and be wise in our walk. Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteI'm sorry you're struggling with a health issue. That can be very difficult. I love the point you make though. God's love is unconditional. Thank you for sharing this gentle reminder at Tuesdays with a Twist! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult... but it helps to learn my limits and stop pushing beyond them! sigh.... so much to do and not enough energy at times!!! :) Thank you for visiting and for your comment... I appreciate the link party also.
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