If Mamma ain't happy....

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God." Ecc. 3:11-13 I've heard that saying a lot since becoming a mother "If Mamma ain't happy, then no one is happy". I guess that can be true most times. But what about the reverse? What if the rest of the family isn't happy - do you think that translates to happiness for me? Certainly not. I'm having one of those days when my over-worked, tired husband is grumbling (from the office because he is still there), my oldest is upset about something trivial to me but huge to him, and my youngest is whining in his normal 3 year old tone. All the while I hear thoughts in my head "what am I doing wrong? maybe if I let the kids play outside for 10 more minutes, maybe if I acted happy on the phone when my husband said he wasn't going to be home for dinner....again, maybe if I fixed them frozen pizza instead of a home cooked meal, maybe, maybe, maybe." Wait. Since when did it become my responsibility to make them happy? Sure, I love to see my children laughing and my husband smiling, and I do everything in my power to see that happen - but it's not my responsibility. Enough of my joy gets stolen when I see their unhappy faces, but to add to that a sense of "this is my fault" is ridiculous. I don't know when that started for me - probably in childhood being the firstborn and always wanting things "just so". I can deal with their hurts and disappointments better when I am not emotionally wrapped up with guilt for something I didn't cause. When the weight of relieving their sadness or anger is lifted off of my shoulders and placed on the One who can truly comfort them, I am then able to do what God has called me to do in their lives. I am not God and I shouldn't try to be. Lord, please care for my family as only you can. Help me to do what you have called me to do in their lives and keep my emotions under wraps. May the gift of a satisfied life be given to my husband and both of my children by you.