Sunday, May 3, 2009

"River to Skate Away On...

...It's coming upon (whatever occasion)" as I hear the words of Joni Mitchell's song.... except I hear the voices of Indigo Girls. As I was riding home with my family from church I wished I had a horse I could ride away on. There is something terrible that happens within me when I'm in the car with my family. I truly can't explain it. I have zero tolerance and patience. I just sit there like an angry cobra swelling up before an attack (thus the reason for the picture.)

We could be out having a pleasant experience, but the moment we get into the car..... UUUuuugh.... It ALL goes to pots for me 99% of the time. So, what is wrong with me? Is it just me or does everyone have ONE struggle place? The van with my entire family is a definite battle ground for me. Especially to and from church which I KNOW we all have such attack stories about that alone that we could share. I just am ready to be more pleasant for my children's and husband's sake. Bless their hearts for having to ride in a car with a snake that could attack at any second.

Lord, help me to remain self-controlled in this particular battlefield. I desire for that van to be a place of PEACE for our family! I know you are powerful enough to change the tone in that place. I beg of you to move in me during our times spent together in the car!

7 comments:

km said...

We are fortunate enough to be able to walk to church. It's wonderful...except when it's raining or 100degrees. My grump time is getting ready. I know that if I lay the kids clothes out the night before (to avoid my boys trying to wear all camo on a Sunday morning...and my daughter trying to wear a Princess dress) and if I take my shower the night before so I can get ready quickly...then our mornings run so much smoother. Skip one part of the plan and everything seems to spiral down. I know you're not alone...I just don't know what to say to make it better. When I am in the car with the whole family...it helps if M & I don't try to use that time for an adult conversation and shush the kids. Our best times are when we all sing together. I know that's corny but it works. I have a worship CD that's all kids singing the songs like 'Indescribable' and 'I love you more'. I was blown away by my 5yo (last year) knowing all the words to 'Indescribable'! But then he asked a ton of questions one day. I had to sit and play through the song piece by piece and give him definitions for the words. Something I'll gladly do. But...no music...and my kids start making noises that only boys know how to make...how annoying. Sorry this is so long...and hope it helps just to know you're not alone. That's one of the reasons I've kept reading your blog. (((HUGS))) your sister in Christ...

Stacey said...

I KNOW what you mean! It's weird that I have really grown to love taking the kids to school because we have a chance to mellow out and talk after an all-too-often meltdown in getting everybody out the door - BUT - there is just something about the van ride to church...I'm way too often grumpy!

susie mccoll said...

This is pretty interesting. I, too, am grumpy on the way to church. Even when I try to take a big, deep breath and tell myself to mellow, I still feel grumpy. Now, after church is a different story. It's just the getting there. This must be a Satan-attacking-moms-on-the-way-to-church-thing! Who knew?

Stacey said...

yes, yes, a thousand times yes! NOISE is something I have low tolerance for and the van might as well be an echo chamber for all the noise that comes from the backseat. ugh. Lord help us all! Maybe we moms can think of each other and all have a chuckle with the Lord on the way to church sunday!

shanna said...

I LOATHE the van too!!!!! Why is that????

Mimi said...

One reason it's "the van" is because it is confined quarters and not much else to diffuse the sound. At least you have DVDs available for long trips in close quarters!!

Anonymous said...

Honey, "what goes around, comes around"! :) (Not Stacey, but maybe Jason!)
Love you all! Pop White