"Do the NEEDFUL"

This is a phrase that we have picked up from our Indian friends (from India). We have interacted with them enough to understand that when they say "Do the needful," it means, "Do the things that you HAVE to do." At first I thought this phrase was kind of funny, like Indian slang, but I have come to love this idea.

It is now a phrase that we use around the house. In fact, the girls each have a NEEDFUL list that they do every morning (get dress, brush teeth, make bed...) They totally understand that there are things that we NEED to do and things that we WANT to do.

For me, the last 2 days were full of NEEDFUL things. I had plans to take the girls to a few homeschool activities and we ended up staying home. Neither of the kids are feeling great, and the needful list was too long. More than anything, I find that I need to keep disciplined and do the things that must get done, even when I have to say no to the fun things. When I make wise decisions, it does help me alleviate stress.

We only had a day to wash the sheets and tidy up before our next company arrives, we have a huge neighborhood yard sale we are participating in, and cleaning and school work were a MUST today. I would rather play and swim and picnic and skate, but I desire to be the positive example for my children and I knew the right thing was to do the NEEDFUL.