The Thermostat
For some reason, I have not been able to get the idea of a thermostat out of my head. In particular, when it comes to mothering.
Nate has been out of town since Thursday and if I am honest, I spent the first two days of it much like a thermometer. The temperature in the house would rise and I would rise right along with it. Attitudes would rise and mine would rise right along with it. Voices would rise and, you guessed it, mine would rise right along with it.
You see, a thermometer simply tells you what the temperature is. It is very helpful, but it doesn’t do anything to change the temperature. A thermostat, on the other hand, reads the temperature and then turns on either the heat of the AC to bring the temperature back to its desired range.
In my mothering lately, I have been working to be more of a thermostat and less of a thermometer. Cranky? Maybe we all need a snack. Bad attitudes? Let’s get some time outside. Overly exhausted? Let’s sit here on the couch together and read a book or watch a movie together. Is mom annoyed? She likely needs to put her phone away for a while.
And to be totally honest, I have needed (and often neglected) to meet with God. For perspective, grace, forgiveness, strength…the entire gambit. I just can’t do the whole mom thing on my own. And I’ll never do it perfectly.
But little by little, I’m seeing the need for me to change, one degree at a time, the temperature in our home when it gets out of sync. It’s nothing earth shattering, but it’s really been helping me these last few days. By God’s grace, I am the captain of our little ship. I am called to be the thermostat.
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Inspiring
Thank you so much Tracy!
I can relate to this 100% and it comes at a perfect time for me. Thank you so much for sharing your heart. I’ve always known I was sensitive to the temperature around me, affected easily by the kids or if my husband had a stressful day at work. And sometimes I long for a cheerful friend or my mom to stop by and help me calibrate my OWN temperature. But you’re right- being a thermostat for my family is my calling- and its something God can help me with. I’m the mom now!
Audra I love this! And you are right sometimes it can be so helpful (and refreshing!) to have a cheerful face stop by.
Thank you for this, Kate. It’s something to reflect on going into the weekend! We have a very independent, strong, emotional and passionate (almost) 3 year old, and she needs me to be her thermometer!!
I am so glad it was helpful for you Brittney!
There’s no greater job on this earth than “Mom” and yet the pressure to succeed in it is often crushing . Just Google Supermom and a dozen sites pop up even the Urban Dictionary has a definition! Your words are encouraging with the strong reminder to take time to rest- sleep is good what we need too when kids are napping- and keep away from what drains my confidence. We really are like the Marines! Once a Mom always a Mom. And we truly are our kids’ front line defense. The Lord has a fierce love for us and our kids and His strength for Moms is truly boundless. Time with the Lord in reading and prayer is like the best of food and refreshing drink. I love how you are encouraging other moms!
~Brenda
Mom of 9
thank you so much! and love what you said about the Lord having a fierce love for us as well <3