I can guarantee you that pretty much every day at some point in my day, I will hear the words, “Mommy, I’m hungry.” In fact, as I am typing this, one of my little ladies is sitting beside me and I am pretty sure that by the end of this page (if not shortly after), I will hear those three words from her or one of the others. The funny thing about my children is that when they say they are hungry and I offer them something to eat, I may hear, “no thank you. Can I have something else, please?” This may go on for about 2-3 rounds depending upon the child. My husband tends to tell me that I give the children too many options and I’m pretty sure at least one of you may be thinking the same thing right now. Yup, you probably are, aren’t you? Lol. That’s okay. My point in giving them options is 1) I like having options and 2) this is when I can tell how hungry they really are.
I remember one day recently, we were out and about and my son lets me know that he is very hungry. Now, here’s a little background before we start the “awwws.” He is old enough to set his alarm, listen to his alarm, get up and make his own breakfast. However, this day, he decided to sleep until 11:00am (summer time sleep, I’m fine with that.). He’s my stickler-for-the-schedule kid, so if we’re scheduled to be somewhere the next day, he knows way in advance. So, when I told him that it was time to get up because we had to leave soon, he opted to move at the “teen-phase” pace. You know that pace. The pace that drives you nuts watching because you know everything around you is moving at regular speed but for some reason it’s like they’re in a Slow. Moving. Bubble. To the point it actually begins to make you want to look around for hidden cameras. This can’t be real. Oh, yes, this is real.
Getting back to our car ride, I made sure that I brought some breakfast cookies just in case he got hungry. When I offered them to him, his words, and I quote, “I would have to be really hungry in order for me to eat those.” Laughing as I type this right now in the same way I laughed when he said it. Hilarious. He already knew what my next response would be…”then, you’re not hungry enough.”
The funny thing about this story, outside of my son’s response, is that earlier this morning, I heard the same thing said to me. I woke up earlier than usual, exhausted and thinking about later on today when I could get back in the bed. I knew that I needed to get up and spend some time with God and then work on my book and blog. But the bed felt so good and (whining) I’m still so very tired. I only had 4 hours of sleep. (I was up late playing a game on my phone. Totally my fault, I know.) In the middle of my whining and complaining, the words, “then you’re not hungry enough” came to my mind.
Lesson Learned: I desire to have a closer relationship with the Lord. I desire to spend time in prayer and in His word so that I can see and hear clearly His directions for me for the day. I desire to write a book. I desire to help others with my blog. I desire to have alone time in the morning while the children are sleeping. I also desire, no crave, more sleep!
However, when I do not get up and feed my spirit, I end up with, what I am now calling, hunger pains. I end up feeling moody, cranky, rushed all day and just plain old blah. So, this morning, I chose to get out of the bed, my oh so comfortable bed, to feed my spirit. I decided that I am hungry enough! What are you craving in your life? Are you hungry enough to do what is needed to “feed” that craving?
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.” Proverbs 24:33-34 (HCSB)
lessons learned from my homeschool day 