Gold Star Day

When you are a child and you do certain tasks you often get a sticker or some sort of prize. But for some reason we forget to give ourselves this kind of encouragement and grace when we are adults. Yesterday I had what I call a gold star day, and I'm still proud of myself this morning, because I also started today off in the gold star direction.

This is why yesterday was a gold star day:
1. I had a stressful morning at work and I didn't lose control!
2. I successfully went grocery shopping with the baby!
3. I got all of the groceries put away with the baby around!
4. I made dinner!
5. I cleaned up from dinner!
6. I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher.
7. I did laundry
8. I didn't have to restart the washer because I forgot about the clothes.
9. I spent time with my husband and baby!
10. I made cookies
11. I cleaned up from the cookies.
12. I got the coffee ready for this morning.
13. I didn't drink any pop.

Now most people would look at this list and think yeah good job you were successfully an adult today. And its true I didn't do anything extraordinary yesterday. But my house was not a disaster when I woke up this morning. That is a big deal. I hate housework. The whole Mary and Martha story I would much rather sit at the feet of Jesus than do any household chores. I always make sure the laundry is done, but the rest often just stresses me out. Even grocery shopping is something I hate doing. So when I accomplish a lot of the things that I hate doing and am not stressed out, I feel like I should get a gold star! Or some kind of reward!

The real reward though, was the fact that I just had to push a button for coffee this morning. I was able to sit in my clean living room and do a devotion and relax before Adah got up. (I should have added I got up before the baby started crying to that list...). I was able to go to sleep last night not disgusted with myself for leaving the kitchen a disaster again. I will be able to make dinner tonight without first cleaning the kitchen.

I don't know why days like this are a big deal, they really should be the norm. But there are so many days that after working and taking care of my baby I don't feel like doing anything from the above list.

So today as I sit here proud of myself for adulting well yesterday and hoping I will do so today as well. I can't help but laugh at myself too. We can't forget to give ourselves a little grace. Jesus didn't require a perfect house when He came to visit, so on the days when I'm utterly exhausted I can lay down at the feet of Jesus and not feel guilty for the mess in the kitchen!

Don't forget to give yourself grace today, it is a way better reward than a gold star!