Chapter 1, from Anna's perspective

Hi Ladies!

First, I want to thank you all again for taking this journey with me!  I've been married to my husband for almost 14 years now, and we've really had a great marriage.  Of course, we've both had our moments, because we're human.  But I can honestly say that I am a very thankful and blessed woman in my family life.  I have a husband that cares about me and spoils me, I have healthy, happy children that I am able to spend every waking moment with, and I have a God that never turns His back on me- even when I turn my back on him.

But all that being said, there are days that I feel like I have to kick myself in order to get out of my funk.  I have to really work hard to get up and clean the house, and do the dishes and put the laundry away. 
WHY IS THAT??

I mean, my kids are expected to wake up at a certain time to start their homeschool work.  My husband wakes before the sun to drive downtown for work, and he doesn't get back home until 8:00 pm most nights!  Yet I feel like I deserve this daily break from my chores and duties around the house?  It doesn't make sense.  Don't get me wrong- my laundry stays finished, my sink stays empty (for the most part), and my house USUALLY stays presentable.  But after I've had a day of intense cleaning, I'm usually feeling a little bit like a slave- a maid- a Cinderella sans Godmother. 

Why is it that I can feel sorry for myself for having to do my job??  Strange, right?  I feel a little bit like a spoiled brat as I write this.  And this is the reason that I felt the need to study this book that Jen mentioned she was reading.

So I read the first chapter, and the first thought that came to me as I was reading was, "HOW could a woman POSSIBLY bring herself to THROW ROCKS at her husband?!?"  Yet, on the days I'm down about my daily chores, that's what I'm doing- just not in a literal sense!  By not doing my job cheerfully and lovingly, I'm dragging my family down!  How can I expect my kids to do their homeschool work with good attitudes when I can't have a good working attitude myself?  If I clean the entire house spotless, and my husband comes home and doesn't even notice it, how can I be upset?  His lack of acknowledgement may be a direct result of my grumpiness! 

The second thing that struck me was the fact that I was CREATED for my HUSBAND.  When I think about those words, quite a few things come to mind.  How special is it to have something created especially for you??  I had a friend who gave us the great wedding gift of a huge set of embroidered towels.  I felt so special that she had these made especially for us!  Another time, a friend monogrammed adorable bags and beach towels for all my girls.  They loved them so much!  Sometimes, I sew my daughters a cute little stuffed friend.  I pick out the eyes in each of my daughter's favorite colors, pick a material I know they would love, and make each furry friend exactly the way that will make each daughter smile.  Any time I sew my girls a little stuffed animal or paint them a picture, the first thing they say is, "You made this especially for ME??"  It makes them feel really important!
So, how much more special, more customized, more perfect of a fit, must WE be for our HUSBANDS if we were custom-made by GOD for them?  It is a mind-blowing thought. 

The last thought I will share on Chapter One is from the "Time to Consider" section.  I have created my new habit, and it is working wonders already!  I have made it a point to arise before my family in the morning, and sit in front of my Bible.  It is a humbling experience, and it has given me a much-needed boost to my day.  It has made me more tolerant, more patient, and more relaxed.  If you don't already do this, try it for a week.  I would be curious to hear if this habit has the same effect on you!