This morning, my husband said something that struck a chord; he usually says the right thing even when I don’t want to receive it. 

But he’ll say it anyway and let it wash over the room, allowing me to pick up the sentence immediately or in pieces if I need a little more time. 

Like most mornings, our children come down to breakfast, and they usually complain about what their ready-made meal is. 

I could have made them what they requested yesterday, but today, we’ve changed our minds. While we work to parent and teach a better heart position of gratitude in the morning, the continued complaints have made a mother weary, especially in the wee hours before daylight while the coffee brews. 

Quietly, as he put away the cottage cheese, Josh says, “You know, most of the time, your toughest moments, the hard, even annoying moments of the day, are their best moments.” 

For me, I had grown callused and a bit fickle to the morning complaint department and tensed up before they even entered the room, ready to fend off their assaults. 

But to them…

Mom met them with a hug and a warm, maybe not desired breakfast. 

Josh’s words helped me shift from a position of defense and absorption to deflection, choosing not to receive or take in the pressure to please everyone at the beginning of the day. 

As I recharge to start another day, I remember not to take the assaults personally and to allow even the toughest moments to be joyful, abundant, and purposeful. 

Xoxo 

Nichole