Trouble with time

This week was a whirlwind for me.  Between hurrying to pay things on time, getting things done in time or just getting home in time.  I just felt like I was always rushing so I could rush some more.  By the time I get home from work and try to get by household looking somewhat normal I have to start dinner.  Then I realize that I never took the chicken out this morning as I was heading out the door.  How could I forget!!  It's after 5:00 and I have to thaw out the chicken.  That's going to set back even more time.  I feel like my kids eat dinner later and later everyday.  All because of my poor time management.  So here I am thawing chicken legs under hot water with a cat and dog play fighting at my feet.  My kids were out the door as soon as my pocketbook hit the counter top so they can't even get the wild animals out of my kitchen.  After kicking them out I finally get to the last chicken thigh and realize the cat is gnawing on chicken skin picked out the trash.   It wasn't a pretty sight and as I pulled it out of his mouth he sounded like the cat from Pet Cemetery.  So I wash my hands again.  At this point I'm looking at the clock and it's 5:50!  I throw the chicken in the oven as fast as possible.  

Then it's a race to get a load of laundry in because there isn't one clean towel in the house.  Now it's time to get the boy back inside so I can check his homework.  He's not happy with me because I make him come inside.  Feet are stomping and arms are crossing.  Somehow, now I have a punished child.  Now I have to hurry and get the water boiling for the egg noodles as I'm steaming.    I look at the time and it's now an hour later.  I rushed so fast to get this meal complete and it's almost 7:00.  

My daughter sets the table, of course always just 3 spots since my husband doesn't get home until 8:30 at night.  I'm feeling a little sad and thinking how much I miss us having a meal together after work.  As my daughter gets the last of the silverware on the table I see my husband pull up in the driveway.  Both kids yell in excitement "Dad's home"!  Mikey is thrilled that he gets to eat dinner with his dad....all because we ate dinner so late.  I was so worried about us eating this late and here God had the timing perfectly lined up.  We said grace together and especially thanked God for having Mike home with us for dinner.  I was so glad that I didn't just throw something in that would cook fast.  Instead we were able to enjoy a delicious meal together.  We sat at the dinner table for over an hour just talking about our day.  I didn't even care that it was almost 8:30 and dishes had to be washed or kids had to be clean.  We were able to talk about the sermon that we heard in church this past Sunday.  It was the perfect night.  The windows were open and the crickets were chirping. For the first time all day, I didn't care what the clock said.  I was just so thankful for this special little gift of time with my loves.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.