I am
A mother
A wife
A teacher
A cook
A housekeeper
An artist
A writer
On good days
I walk through my house
And my brain says
Look at this
Beautiful life
I smell freshly baked cookies
I see family meals together
I see children exploring and learning
I notice the sun coming in the window
I notice the birds on the porch
I see my life’s work all around me
I feel God’s presence and blessings
I am thankful and content
I can rest when I am tired
On bad days
I walk through my house
And my brain says
Look at this mess
The floors are horrendous
The dishes are dirty
There are toys and games and stuff everywhere
Unfinished projects and chores
You haven’t done enough today
I feel God’s disappointment
I am crushed by the weight of the world
I cannot turn my brain off
There are too many things to worry about
But as time goes on
And I am more aware of these thoughts
As I grow closer to God
And know myself better
As I improve at recognizing the lies
And replacing them with the truth
As I learn that good days and bad days
Are manufactured in my mind
The good days increase
And the bad days decrease
I have hope for the future
I can live in the present
I am thankful for the past
I know that I am loved
No matter what