Treats, Not Rewards.

Sometimes, as a mummy, mostly at home, it can feel as if the days and weeks run into one another. If it wasn't for my housekeeping schedule, or remembering that on Sunday's (or Saturday evenings) we have to go to Mass, I would probably only have a vague idea of what day of the week it is.

That's not a complaint, but sometimes, I think we all need a little variety. Something to break up our days. We get so caught up with what we feel we SHOULD be doing, that we forget that sometimes we need to take the time to do things because we WANT to. Sometimes we equate treats with rewards, when really, they are very different things.

Rewards are based on performance: 'If I get all the clean laundry folded and put away before 11.30am, then I'll reward myself with a chapter of the book I've been reading.'

Treats are based on feeling, and on love. Treats place the value on the person, rewards place the value on the person's actions.

While there is obviously a place for both, I think that in this modern age, we often forget to treat ourselves, just because. We look for justifications for having that piece of cake, or that lipstick, or that book, or even just that half hour to ourselves.

It's good to have goals, and to work hard, and to do your best. Of course it is. I certainly think God wants us to strive, and to achieve. He wants us to have an abundant life.

So many of us though, equate our achievements with our worth. Our worth and dignity do not come from our achievements. They come from the fact that we children of God, and have been fearfully and wonderfully made.

Please, if you are a mother, put aside the laundry, or the dusting for a moment, and do something for you. If you are working, and tired, do something that will refresh you.

Realise, that regardless of whether or not you tick all the boxes on your To-do list today, you are enough, you are special, you are worthy, you are deserving, and you are loved.

Don't reward yourself today, TREAT yourself instead.