Mind Your Own Purpose

Welcome to "Vida Happens"!  I am Vida Green: a Christian wife, mother, sister, friend, business woman, etc., here to share my tips & tricks on how to conquer this thing called life. It is my hope that you will find at least one thing to encourage your heart and help you tackle the day with every visit.

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[vidahappens]

If At First You Don’t Succeed

Often times we hit walls or closed doors when trying to accomplish a task/goal in life.  Does that stop you?  Do you then shrug it off, say “oh well”, and give up?  Or do you begin to find ways to figure out strategically how to go around that wall or closed door?  Are you then looking for an open window?

With the recent work-life balance changes made in my life (thanks to the pandemic), I have found myself facing quite a few obstacles.  Being a full-time mom to an active 6mo old, a full-time Administrative Assistant, a full-time wife (with only 2 years experience), and all of the other hats that I tend to wear, life has been interesting.  To be perfectly honest, I’m still learning how to be present for what’s most important and not allow too many things to fall by the wayside. (prioritizing & all)  Thankfully, my daughter is getting to an age where she can sit and play for at least a couple of minutes while I take a bathroom break or grab a quick bite, and she has enough toys to keep her occupied for a mommy breather throughout the day.  In a moment of transparency and honesty, sometimes those quick minutes aren’t enough.  Sometimes, Mommy needs a nap, especially when Tori doesn’t want to take one.  Or Mommy needs a coffee break or to run to the store without carrying a carseat or diaper bag.  

During the work day, I often try to put her in the jumper or have some playtime on her blanket with her toys and quickly try to complete a task.  When that doesn’t work, as it often fails, I find myself frustrated and overwhelmed.  I try to forge ahead while holding a rambunctious child in my arms who loves to help mommy type, make phone calls and scroll the web.  And what does that do?  Truthfully, it further frustrates me.  

Tonight, as I was preparing for bath time, it dawned on me, “If at first you don’t succeed, try again.”  Yes, she may not want to sit in her jumper or play on her blanket with her toys at that time, but possibly, after a few minutes of kisses and hugs from mommy, who’s to say she’ll have the same reaction.  This theory can also be applied to LIFE.  If you’re stuck in a rut, facing a challenge, recovering from something that “almost” took you out, there are still other opportunities for success.

No matter what your wall or closed door may be, I want to challenge you to try again.  Even if the obvious doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to chose the path less traveled.  Trust the plan that has been made for your life by your Creator, our Almighty God, and push forward.  It is my prayer for you (and me), that God will show us the way to take and that He will open doors that no man can shut, make ways out of no way (unveil the hidden path).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

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Mind Your Own Purpose

I was faced with a challenge last night.  Me and my husband switch off “night shift” to ensure at least one of us is rested for the following day to handle Tori and work from home duties.  Well, last night, my daughter (who is almost four months) was very unhappy for whatever reason.  I’d given her to her dad so that I could do my “self-care” routine and wind down from a full day of “Mommy-ing” and work.  After finishing the first thing on my list, I heard her crying.  After a few minutes of going back and forth in my head about whether I should run to her and see what was wrong, I decided to just go and peek my head in (assess the situation from afar).  As many of you know (those who are parents), babies often cry for any number of reasons.  Many of which, you can’t necessarily “solve”; only comfort them and hope they calm down.  This instance was a “wait and see” type moment.  She’d been fed, had a clean diaper and was in no obvious pain or discomfort (beyond the crying).  While I assessed from afar, or what I thought was afar, I found myself talking to her and holding her hand.  Then, after holding her in my arms for a few moments and doing what mommy’s do, she quieted down and snuggled up against my chest.  Great…PEACE & QUIET. 

But there was still one problem… Mommy, who had been mommy all day, was holding her … and there was a chance that once Mommy gave her back to Daddy, the PEACE & QUIET would cease.  So, I did what I always do … I kept her in my arms.  We played and talked for a while and then I gave her a bottle and she settled to sleep.  Two hours after my initial calming.  After giving her Daddy a very sleep baby (praise God!), I began to think about how much I’d done for the day and it hit me that I was running all day.  Cooking.  Cleaning.  Mommy-ing.  ALL. OF. THE. THINGS.  My body was tired.  My brain was fried.  And yet, there was still more to be done (my bed was covered in freshly washed clothes and I hadn’t finished my “self-care” routine).

One question came to the forefront of my mind: Why do I have to do it?  I went through a slew of answers … my husband is capable of doing all of those things, but … Mommy is still the one to do them.  Why?  Because I, Mommy, am graced for this and equipped to handle all of the things.

DISCLAIMER: My husband is a very active participant in all of the things, but as with everything in life, we all operate best in our designated areas.

The real and honest conclusion that I came to is that God created me with a purpose and part of that purpose is to be Justice’s wife, as well as Ryan and Victoria’s mom.  Is that all of my purpose?  Absolutely not.  But I am EQUIPPED and GRACED to handle all of the things that come with those honorable titles.  So, therefore, I will take joy in doing all of the things.  It is truly a pleasure now that I understand the purpose in it.

So… I said all of that to say … whatever you’re currently frustrated in and over dealing with, wondering why YOU of all people have to do it, take a look at the true purpose of it.  Are YOU destined and designed for this very thing?  Or are you forcing a square peg into a round hole?  If that thing is truly attached to you to fulfill (even a portion) of God’s purpose, then take pleasure in the process and enjoy the growth.  It will be worth it in the end.  But…  If it’s not yours to truly handle, let it go and allow the appointed person to handle it.  Don’t stress or stretch yourself more than necessary!

“Now may the God of peace [the source of serenity and spiritual well-being] who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood that sealed and ratified the eternal covenant, equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 [Amplified]