I love being a Stay-at-Home Mom. LOVE IT. I believe this is the hardest 'occupation' I, or any woman could ever have. The demands are high, the responsibility is great, and the rewards sometimes go long unseen. I count this time in my life to be the greatest blessing God has given me, aside only from my salvation in Christ, and my marriage to Casey.
Due to the fact that the demands, both large and small of this job can be constant I need to be honest in saying that I do experience times of great frustration. These aren't times where I think that my time or abilities are being "wasted" or "don't contribute to the greater good". These are days when I feel that my home and family are wasted on me (insert self-pity here, right?). I told Casey not to long ago that there are days I feel like I am trapped on a hamster wheel and can't make any progress. Ever feel that way?
If I am to be honest, though, with those of you who read this blog, the source of my greatest stress and frustration is my own poor planning and work ethic. Please don't mistake this as me saying I don't think that we Moms at Home don't, or should not take a break - that would be madness! However, when I begin a pattern of allowing today's work to pile into tomorrow, simply because I'm not 'feeling it' today, that makes me my own worst enemy. The energy, effort, and heart that I put into my family and home today directly effects how our tomorrow can go. Yes, there are days that throw us for a loop and things pop up that we did not see coming. But, if I have consistently taken care of my 'Today's To-Do List" those days are even handled with less of a burden, as well as the days following. When I make the effort to take care of my daily responsibilities (with a good and right attitude :) it not only makes my tomorrow easier, but it becomes a blessing to my household and those around us.
Notice this about the ultimate example of Biblical womanhood given to us in Scripture:
Proverbs 31:13 KJV
"She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh WILLINGLY with her hands." Emphasis mine.
Matthew Henry says in his commentary of the Proverbs 31 woman:
"She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not."My work isn't always glorious. The praise often times does not come. The fruit of my labor is sometimes long down the road and yet to be seen. The people I work hardest for are sometimes totally unaware of what I really want to accomplish and give to them. None of that matters, though. The example given by God's Word is to take care of my responsibilities and work whether or not I enjoy, or even feel like doing the task at hand. Not only that, but I am to do it to the BEST of my ability, and diligently. Not only that, but I am to take pleasure in all that lays at my feet. This is a challenge some days, to say the very least.
My purpose in saying all of this is what, right? A wise and wonderful woman in my life pointed out to me today that being a full-time Momma is a temporary position. We tend to think of this totally involved guiding/leading/teaching/training every step of the way aspect of motherhood to be forever. The truth is that it is not. This concentrated and blessed time with our little ones (or mediums ones) does not last forever. Yes, even as adults we have a tendency to seek our parents' guidance on things. Not, though, like the baby taking her first steps, the toddler learning how to communicate somewhere between toddler-speak and English, and not like the preschooler learning how to write their letters and numbers. These moments are precious, and they are a blessing from God. It doesn't matter how many times you need to clean up the milk spilled on the floor, or take care of some potty training emergency (that was me today). It also doesn't matter if you don't conquer the world and have a perfect seven coarse meal on the table as well. What matters most is the heart attitude and willingness we put into today. That is our choice. Today seems hard , but once tomorrow comes 'today' is gone - forever. Pictures and videos can't bring these days back, because they will simply be memories. Let us do our work willingly today taking pleasure in its pains. Let's not allow our tasks to seem trivial, or daunting. Let's embrace our temporary position ,because these moments are a fleeting gift from a loving God.
