Breathing in Jesus

If you live in a life like mine, you understand what I call domestic craziness.  Ladies, stick with me here, I really do think you will be able to relate to this.  Domestic craziness is the normal “hum” of our home lives.  It is not negative, just busy and active with a certain noise level that is normal for our families.  I call it craziness because no matter how “normal” we think our lives should be it always seems slightly crazy.  Or slightly “not normal”, which is more normal than our idea of normal is.  So being “not normal” is truly normal for today’s families, which means we usually live in slightly crazy homes.   I have either lost you or you are nodding your head saying this doesn’t make any sense but I totally understand what she is saying!

Some days the normal craziness spikes up a few notches and things can get hectic.  The normal hum of your home starts to sound more like a freight train.  In my house it could look something like this: the boys are wild with one screaming “Woo hoo!” while trying to lasso the dog like a cowboy, the other is dancing around the house with a red popsicle, my teenage son is running late, looking for his misplaced work boots again, the phone keeps ringing, the place is a mess (despite me picking it up all day), I’m stepping on Legos that are scattered on the floor while trying to catch the one with the red popsicle and my husband walks in asking where supper is.  Feel your stress level rising yet?  Can you relate?  I’m guessing you can.

I used to really let times like this get to me.  I would get angry and ask, “Why me!?”  The stress would build until I was upset and frustrated with everyone in my family and a dark cloud settled over my head.  I would yell at the kids to behave and have snide comments for my husband.  Yeah, I was a real treat. 

So what changed?  Did I finally gain control and shape up my house, husband, and kids?  Haha, that’s a good one!  No… I changed.  I have learned that when I have problems (with a situation or a person) I need to look at myself first to see if I am the one who needs to shape up.  Now, I’m not able to change my own heart, but when I give it over to God, he can.  The Bible tells us when we receive Christ we are a new creation and that we need to look and act more like Jesus. Ephesians 4:31 - 5:1-2 tells us:

 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

What a great reminder that I can forgive anything since Christ has forgiven me so very much!  I want to be tenderhearted and kind towards others (including my family) not filled with the ugliness of anger and bitterness.  What a beautiful mind picture when told to “walk in love as Christ loved us,” even sacrificing himself for us.  It puts it all into perspective now.  We need to imitate Jesus.

How do I do this when placed in a situation like described above?  I breathe in Jesus.  That is what I call it when I take a deep breath and remind myself of the scripture above and so many more like it.  I dwell on Jesus and all he has done for me and that my true life is with him.  He brings peace beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7) and fills me with forgiveness and patience. This makes me sound pretty holy!   I can assure you it has only come from experience and practice (19 years as a mother) and I still fail often.  Praise God that he is faithful and patient with us! 

So the next time you find yourself in a moment of extreme domestic craziness remember to breathe in Jesus.  Take a deep breath and calm yourself in Christ’s love and the forgiveness found in his Word.  Remind yourself to imitate Jesus and let his peace envelop you.  This life is so very temporary; don’t allow moments like this to bring that dark cloud over your head.  Clear it away with the powerful Words of God.  I encourage you to always be prepared with a memorized piece of scripture.  That is the only true way to do battle!  Need help finding one?  Message me, I would love to help!