Did anyone else notice the “Keep Calm” Facebook fad a few months ago? For a few weeks, it seems like everyone was posting some clever version of the famous World War Two British “Keep Calm” poster. (According to Wikipedia, the British government put out the poster in 1939 as a propaganda tool intended to strengthen the public’s morale if there was a wartime disaster.)
I need this poster framed in my house. In my kitchen somewhere. I can always use reminders to keep calm and carry on. Especially since much of stay-at-home motherhood is spent alone, at home, with your children. Where there are no other Not-Your-Husband adults to impress with your saint-like patience.
In all honesty, it’s easier for me to stay calm when I am around other people. I know well that God is most pleased with me, though, when I am calm and no one but Him is watching. How wise is God to know that I needed this particular vocation to marriage to challenge me to holiness. He does that for all of us, though. From the moment he forms us in our mother’s womb, he knows the vocation we each need to draw us toward Him in being the man or woman He created us to be.
My own versions of the Keep Calm poster would probably sound like some of these:
“Keep calm and remember that he’s only two.”
“Keep calm and bring up this topic with Michael again later.”
“Keep calm and just clean up that Huge Mess at naptime.”
“Keep calm and trust that God will work this situation out in his timing.”
“Keep calm and don’t burst into tears in front of all these people.”
“Keep calm and order pizza.”
“Keep calm and blog about it later.”
“Keep calm and trust that God will provide.”
So many times I want to pull my hair out with frustration and discouragement. But it’s all small stuff.
St. Teresa of Avila wrote this beautiful note inside her breviary. I need a poster of this as well (in the kitchen:).
Reading your blog makes me realize that I am not alone and not out of my mind. My daughter is about to turn 1 on Wednesday and she is officially becoming more and more toddler like. I need a "Keep Calm" poster in my kitchen…livingroom….bedrooms…office…pretty much every room. LOL! Thanks for sharing. I will definitely be reading your blog from now on. :o)
I literally Laughed-Out-Loud when you said "Where there are no other Not-Your-Husband adults to impress with your saint-like patience." SO true!!
Mine would be, "Keep Calm, it's Almost Naptime."
(and if you find this poster, I need one in my kitchen too!)
Thanks for the encouragement! You are both wonderful. Thanks for the affirmation on the swimwear issue too. I have been affirmed over and over again in my decision to cover up a bit more this year. 🙂
Lovely 🙂 I, too, often remind myself, "Keep calm, she's only two." Thanks for this reminder to keep calm.
P.S. Loved your recent post on the modest swimwear. I moved in the same direction this summer and feel much closer to God and my husband for doing so.
God bless, Erin and the whole Franco family 🙂
Excellent!! I totally know what you are talking about…. (Oh, by the way, I've always been impressed by your calm presence, too.) 🙂
Thanks for writing this. It's so true…
-Kirsten Thompson