Revitalizing
the Working Mom™
"Prayers
for the Working Mom"
by
Sabrina O'Malone
PROLOGUE
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The
Typcial Morning....
1
Corinthians 15:10
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without
effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God
that was with me." (NIV)
6:15
a.m.-
The buzzing of the alarm clock startles you into the reality that it's
time to get going. You press snooze.
6:24
a.m.-
Alarm beeps again, but you still have plenty of time. You hit the easiest
button, the big wide snooze. (Of course)
6:33
a.m.-
"Beep-Beep" So tired…so sleepy… so justified. You press the
snooze button. |
6:42 a.m.-
"Beep-Beep-Beep!" With a sigh, you hit snooze, this time determined
to mentally plan out everything you need to do… "Get up, put in contacts,
put on beige outfit, find knee-high's in the laundry basket"…as you
drift off contentedly to slumber.
6:51 a.m.-
"BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!" Now the situation is serious. You spring out of bed,
quietly praying that the kids won't wake up and slow down the process of getting
the day started.
7:00 a.m.-
By the time you find your other matching sock, you realize you have no time
for a shower and that makeup will have to go on in the car.
7:15 a.m.-
First child wakes up.
--Lunches aren't prepared!
--You haven't had a quiet time!
--Even cereal for breakfast would be a luxury.
7:30 a.m.-
One child is dressed and drinking milk while parked in front of the TV. You
begin to make lunches.
7:45 a.m.-
Next child awakes. Frantically, you pick out what you hope is "all-purpose
clothing" because you haven't a clue of the weather. With a peep out the
window you conclude, "Sweats will be fine."
7:48 a.m.-
Child argues. Does not want to wear that outfit. Your temper begins to rise
as you insist.
7:49 a.m.-
Child #1 gets bored with TV and requests a grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast.
It's 8:00! -
You run the mental checklist…
Any field trips or permission slips needed today?
School fundraisers?
Is it show-and-tell day?
Library books?
8:03 a.m.-
The bus rolls up. Shouting for jackets, caps and lunchboxes, you commandeer
the kids out the door with a piece of toast and a kiss.
8:05 a.m.-
Now you calculate everything that you'll need for work.
8:10 a.m.-
While driving to work you realize:
--You haven't taken meat out of the freezer to thaw for dinner.
--You never called your mother back.
--There's a sink full of dishes
--And your husband is down to his last pair of clean underwear.
You pray that God will get you through this day.
8:30 a.m.-
After applying haphazard makeup in the car, you head into work feeling like
you put in a day's work…before you put in a day's work.
To be honest, even this was a pretty smooth
morning. The bus wasn't late, none of the
kids were sick, the family dog didn't dart
out the door, and no one needed extra cuddle
time. To top it off, the mother made it into
work on time…with her makeup on!
Have I gotten your attention? Does this
typical morning scenario remind you of someone
you know?
Chances are that it does because that someone
is you! Don't despair; God is waiting to
intervene in every difficult morning of your
life. Let's invite him in with prayer.
PRAYER
Lord,
I lay all my responsibilities at Your
feet. I am now yielding my heart, mind
and strength to your awesome power and
glory. I desperately need You.
Open my eyes, ears, heart and soul so
that I'm not too busy to hear You. Teach
me to walk, live and be in the center of
Your will for my life. Use me as a blessing
in the lives of my children, dear Lord.
Forgive me for my past mistakes, which
can be better described as sins. I've been
impatient, short tempered, self-righteous
and it has made me a difficult woman to
love and live with. Lord, starting today,
fill me with the fruit of the Spirit: patience,
kindness, humility, and gentleness.
Make me a woman who is not easily angered;
guard me from being rude or selfish. Fill
me with the strength to endure all things
necessary. Your perfect love never fails.
I praise you, and I thank you for saving
me.
Amen.
THE
BACK COVER [click graphic
for larger view]
Prayers for the Working Mom provides what
working moms have been looking for-viable
solutions, practical tips, as well as affirmation
and nurturing. Finally, there's an answer
to the recurring question-"Is it possible
to be a great mother and a great employee?"
Within these pages is the answer you have
suspected in your heart all along… "You
can, and here's how." Prayers for the
Working Mom takes the best skills, talents
and tips of dozens of successful working
mothers and compiles them into an easy to
use resource.
Finally, the busiest people in the world
today will have revitalizing hope, encouragement
and inspiration. There are over 24 million
mothers in America who are incorporating
full-time motherhood with full-time employment.
You are not alone.
This is the book that shows you how to combine
motherhood and employment while maintaining
joy, energy and an attitude of gratitude.
Does it sound impossible? It's not only possible;
it's your destiny. The fact that you have
picked up this book is already an answer
to prayer.
7 SECRETS TO PHENOMENAL SUCCESS
Introduction-The Typical Morning
- Secret 1-Prayer Partners
- Secret 2-Eliminate the Extraneous
- Secret 3-Delegate
- Secret 4-Multi-task
- Secret 5-Show Up…Big Time
- Secret 6-Define Success
- Secret 7-Replenish Your Spirit
Epilogue-The New Typical Morning
Appendixes
