Adding a new child through adoption can be very stressful regardless of whether your child is a baby or an older child. Having had a new son in our home for only 3 weeks, our other children are still adjusting to where each person fits in our new family dynamics.

If your new child unknowingly sits where one of your other children has always sat at the dining room table, it can cause friction. Even where each child sits when watching television might change, and previous siblings might resent the new child as a result.

When the stresses of family life get to be too much, I always need to remind myself--and my children-- to take a step back and examine our spiritual lives, for in our home it is our spiritual aspects of life and our relationship with God that gives us the strength to carry on.

One of my favorite songs that is an excellent reminder to me of the need to slow down and take time to commune with God is "Take Time to be Holy", written by William D. Longstaff.

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

This verse always touches my heart as it reminds me to have patience and kindness for my children, especially the newly arrived one who might be stressing me more than the others. It also reminds me that I need to turn to the Lord and seek his guidance in how to raise his children.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

This week the world has definitely been rushing on faster than I wanted to deal with. From doctor's appointments and trips to the grocery store to twice weekly speech therapy for Ben on the other end of town,to helping with a Boy Scout eagle project, I feel like we are always going somewhere, and generally always late and stuck in traffic.

I needed time away from children and the stresses of the world yesterday, so I recharged my batteries by going to the temple and spending some time alone in thought and prayer. Whether you belong to an organized religion or not, you cannot continue to fill the buckets of your children with life-sustaining water if yours is empty. I fill mine by communing with the Lord and asking for his peace, comfort and guidance in raising my children.

Don't be like the man in the story who is too busy sawing to take the time to stop and sharpen his saw. Take time for yourself even if it means having to drop other plans and leave children with a sitter. They will be fine while you are gone and you will return with more energy and enthusiasm for parenting.

Whether taking time for yourself means working on your spiritual self or just taking the time to be alone for some introspection and quiet meditation, we all need that time alone to recharge. I hope you commit to taking that time this week.

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