" Be Joyful, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.' 1 thess 15-16
This year 2010 has been one of my most challenging parenting year. My domestic helper left abruptly just before last Christmas and we happened to have 2 parties held during that period. With escalating stress pounded on me suddenly, my life changed radically since then...... so did my spiritual life.
BUT my GOD is indeed faithful. I screamed, yelled, pleaded, lamented, sobbed,then finally I relented reluctantly that I needed HIM more than anything. It was this time, my dear humorous God led me to find my long lost contact Canadian friends who happen to be mothers of preschoolers now. Ha ha..... He told me that I'm far better off than them. YES, yes yes I finally admitted shamefully. They handled a huge house with YARD( need to be attended as well) three small kids, 1 big dog, 1 possible pampered husband, erratic weather, and tons of HOUSE CHORES AND FIXING MEALS!!! yes, I cheated in many ways. My parents and in-laws help me a great deal, and we could dine out in Singapore cos cooked food is affordable and lastly, I could engage a part-time domestic helper. SO EXCUSE ME....why AM I whining!!!
Soon, I start to learn that it was my NEGATIVE MINDSET. Many Asian mummies are pampered or blessed to have either parents/ in-laws or domestic helpers to raise their kids. I was awe fully jealous and started to attend self-pity parties. I wanted to look good as a working mother who has her own purchasing power. Homemakers seem so lame and unproductive. The ugly truth is I couldn't handle 3 kids and the immense housework. THANK GOD that HE helps me to deal my stresses in perspective and finally I'm getting better each day!!!
I'm thankful for my doting husband who have been very understanding and supporting in this journey of becoming a BETTER mummy and wife. It was a rough ride and lots of trashing out our differences and our ways of coping stress. We learn to accommodate, accept and adjusted after many slient wars and ugly fights.
NOW, I'm thankful that my kids are all healthy and reasonably well-behaved compared to hyperactive kids. I'm thankful that my family's basic need are met and hubby helps me in housework as well. And I must add this, our dear God brought us a WONDERFUL babysitter recenly who has been such an Angel. She has been blessing us so much, especially to my two cheeky girls and also us, with some couple 's timeout cum dating!!! SO if I put everything in a right frame, I SHOULD REJOICE and give THANKSSSSSS!!!
This amazing 2010 year brought out patience, self control and contentment in me. But it also brought very ugly traits such as pride, anger, imatience, self pity, complaining, anger, murmuring, grumbling, fault finding that were gradually dragging me down. I realized God is moulding me during this difficult period, a purification process. I learn that I need to be thankful, be realistic and contented. NOW I constantly count my blessing and take each day with a better attitude than yesterday. God has been SO good to me. I may not understand his ways but I know He will carry me through my self perceived difficulties. I learn to enjoy each day whatever comes with it. Embrace life like never before
I'm excited about 2011 because it is going to be a GREAT YEAR!!!
