Love One Another
by Kym on January 28, 2007
As I have loved you
Love one another
This new commandment
Love one another
By this shall men know
Ye are my disciples
If ye have love
One to another
I was singing this and other songs to my girls tonight. Emma was splashing away in the bathtub, mumbling all but the last word of every phrase, and singing that last word out loud and fierce. Becca was pulling turkey stew out of her mouth and squishing it between her fingertips.
Suddenly one phrase stuck out as if audibly highlighted. As I have loved you. Although I have known this hymn since early childhood, the meaning of it never was clearer than as I sang it to my beautiful daughters.
As Smart Habit Saturday has slowly been altering the pattern of my days, I’ve found myself feeling calmer, more patient, and more loving with my girls. I’ve been paid in hugs and giggles, and now I find myself thinking about the long term payoff. A happier mom is a more loving mom, and a more loving mom is better able to teach her children how to love.
I’m exercising frequently, not quite daily, but almost. I’m flossing, making the bed, doing the dishes immediately after meals, getting up earlier in the morning and going to bed earlier at night, and I’ve even been having dinner ready when Neil comes home from work.
This latest addition has been making a huge difference to our family, and I’m going to commit to it as my next habit. Every Sunday I’m going to draw up a meal plan and corresponding shopping list for the following week. I’m going to have dinner ready and waiting when Neil comes home from work, so that he gets the maximum amount of post-dinner playtime with the girls.
I love the confidence and happiness that comes from getting my life organized. It’s permeating my life in more ways than I can name. I’ve always been skeptical of that old line about having to love yourself before you can love others. I think you can love others even when you hate yourself, but loving yourself gives you a greater capacity for love.
5 comments
You never cease to amaze me with your insight! I loved the connection you made between “As I Have Loved You” and SMART Habit Saturday. You are one wise woman!
Excellent job on ALL that you are doing. Good luck with your menu planning and dinner cooking. You should look into joining Laura The Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday. You will get even more motivation and some great dinner ideas and recipes, too.
Have a fantastic week.
by An Ordinary Mom on January 28, 2007 at 6:44 am. #
What a great testimony about SMART Habit Saturday. It is wonderful to start feeling that peace and happiness!! HALLELUJAH!
Good luck with your meal plan. I LOVE having a meal plan, even if we stray off of it a little. It makes the week go by so much easier and stress-free!
by The Lynn/Coon Family on January 29, 2007 at 3:11 am. #
great insight. I love having a menu plan and being able to have dinner ready. I agree it makes a big difference in the evening. Hope it’s a good dinner week for you.
by Andrea on January 29, 2007 at 4:14 am. #
Thanks for the update on how your other habits are coming along . . . menu planning and grocery list making have saved our sanity (and our wallet)! LOL Hope it’s a successful week sweetie! :)
by Kate on January 29, 2007 at 12:25 pm. #
Good job on your goals.
I like meal planning it does make such a difference. I agree with an ordinary mom you should check out Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday.
Good luck this week!
~Betty~
by ~Betty~ @ On the Journey to Victory on January 30, 2007 at 8:00 pm. #