“I’m Not Here! and Other Stress Reduction Tips

Today I learned lessons of time management and stress relief from Mama…

I was trying to get Mom up to take her bath. She sat in her rocking chair and said, “I’ll do what I do.”
I tried again with a positive cheerful tone. “Come on, Mom. Let’s get you all fresh and clean. Let’s take a little walk down the hall.” I smiled and held out my hand.

She looked me straight in the face and shouted very loudly, “I’M NOT HERE!” I couldn’t help laughing. And then she laughed, too.

I soon convinced her to get up, though. (I bribed her with a treat. Yes, that’s what it takes sometimes.)

The bath and dressing times were as challenging as usual. Shouting and death threats were involved—all from her towards me. But soon she was content in her rocking chair again. I brushed her hair.

She started tearing apart a box of Kleenex. She so likes to do that. I told her not to, and then she threw the box.

But she did sing some songs with me. And then she ate lunch and dozed off in her rocking chair.

As I look back at this day with Mom I have some thoughts. I’m feeling so overwhelmed lately with a growing to do list and many commitments. I’ve been waking up feeling stressed out before the day starts.

Maybe I need to say with Mom, “I’ll do what I do.” And know that maybe I won’t do everything I’d like to do, but I can pray that God will make His priorities clear. And I can know that He will give me the strength to handle everything He wants me to do.

And when things tempt me that I’m not supposed to add to my day, I hope I’ll look at it boldly and shout, “I’M NOT HERE!!” (Unless it’s an actual person—then I suppose I should think of a more kind way to handle things. LOL!)

And maybe I can give myself little rewards for getting done what I must do, but dread. And take rocking chair breaks when possible and sing songs. Or maybe even take a nap.

I haven’t tried tearing apart Kleenex boxes or throwing them, but there could be some stress relief there. I kind of want to try it now. 
I’m thankful God gives us laughter. And He knows how human He made us.

He tells us to cast our cares on Him. And He says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. He supplies all of our needs. He leads us beside still waters and makes us lie down in green pastures. He hides us under the shelter of His wings and calls us His beloved children. He is so good.

And I’m thankful for the lessons He teaches me through my sweet mama.