learning to say "yes"

There's a lot of talk lately on learning to say "no", especially for moms with too many things on their plate.  We sometimes think that we can conquer the world with baby in tow, and soon realize that we are drowning in over commitment.  Believe me, I've been there many times…but way before Nathan was born.  As a new mama, I've learned what needed to leave my life so that I had more time to focus on this new stage as a mother and a wife.  Balance is sometimes challenging, and I have that personality that wants to have my hand in everything.  

So today's topic of learning to say "yes" seems a bit contradictory, but it is a lesson that is a challenge for me and I just had to share.  

The other day the husband wanted to go to the beach, and our time frame was very limited because of his work schedule that day.  And every piece inside of me wanted to say no.  No, we didn't have enough time.  No, I didn't want to find the beach chairs.  No, we can't take Nathan into the water yet.  It was as if every time I said no I claimed more and more control over the situation and our relationship.  I knew this meant so much to the husband so I took a deep breath and said yes, sure, why not.  And let me just say, this was much harder than I expected it to be.  Our trip to the beach was absolutely perfect. It was just the right amount of time we needed to get out of the house and be where our souls were happy.  

When I look back on it, I quickly see one of my weakness.  And that is my desire for control.  By saying "no" I can keep my hold on that control.  Sometimes saying no is just what the doctor ordered so that you learn to rest and live doing less.  But in this season of life, I need to learn to say yes more often.  Not only to my husband, but to other situations as well.  When Nathan falls asleep on me and every piece inside of me is itching to put him down so that I can go clean the neglected bathroom, I'm learning to say yes to staying right where I am-knowing that neglected bathroom will still be there.  

Here are some other ways I'm saying yes:

-yes to spending more time in the word

-yes to taking the mornings slow and having a cup of coffee with the husband

-yes to cooking a super simple dinner compared to that recipe I've been dying to make in a while

-yes to turning off the phone to spend some quality time with my family

-yes to striking up a conversation with someone who looks like they need a friend that day

So here I am, slowly releasing the attached cords of control, taking a big breath in, and saying "yes".