As a little girl, I would spend many summer hours in my parent’s swimming pool. Taking a deep breath, I would stay under water and watch as all of the bubbles around me floated to the top. For a few brief seconds, I was able to be alone and quiet my soul before I had to come up for air to the world around me.
Today, I wished I had a moment to escape from the busyness of my life. Between taking care of my one year old twin daughters and trying to keep the house clean, I barely have a moment to myself. My days begin with changing dirty diapers and serving breakfast as fast as I can to avoid a morning meltdown. After breakfast, as I scrub the leftover food from their trays, I feel two sets of little hands grabbing at my legs for attention. Then, these hands help me unload the dishwasher, leaving me with silverware that once again has become dirty. My momentarily neat house is quickly ambushed by my toddlers, littering the Swiffer swept floors with toys of all shapes, colors, and sizes. When I retrieve the dirty clothes from the bathroom, I discover my grown dog inside the bathtub with the girls trying their best to get in with him.
How did this become my life?
In Psalm 23:2-3, David talks about how the Lord makes him lie down in green pastures, leads him beside quiet waters and how He restores his soul. As moms, we hardly ever slow down and are always thinking of what we need to do next. When is there time to find a green pasture to lie down in? It is exhausting caring for the whole household and it is hard finding time to be alone. But, not only do we desire to have some “me” time, we need it. Life as a mom is always going to have screaming children and houses to clean. In order for us to give to our families, we must take time to refuel and rest in the comfort of our Savior.
I could easily view each day as a chore instead of a gift. Sure, parts of the mom duties aren’t so much fun, but the opportunity to love those two blue-eyed girls makes the chores all worthwhile.
If I take a moment to rest and find my own quiet waters to sit by I can get a good dose of God’s peace. This peace gives me strength to get through each day and enjoy it wholeheartedly.
Till next time, let your light shine!
By: Christen, The Uncontainable Truth
Leave a Comment
Danelle says
Hi Christen,
I love what you said about how easy it is to view each next thing as a “chore” instead of a “gift”.
I’m using that today. I once had two boys that were both in diapers (not twins, but less than 2 years apart in age) and I remember those days.
Now I am a homeschooling mom, boys are 9 and almost 8, that feels overwhelmed by school and chores at times.
But looking at it all as a gift. . the children, the house, the mess even. . . well it’s all a blessing! We just need time to change the way we *see*.
Precious post.
Amy Hunt says
Yes, Christen, it IS okay to have time to yourself! In fact, you’re a better mother for it, and you worship God beautifully when you surrender any idea that you are indispensable to your children’s lives and that you have to do it all. He is their ultimate Parent and you can trust that your own time away will be used for such purpose.
Rich blessings as you continue to rest in the Grace for yourself.
And yes, as Danelle says, we need “time” to change the way we *see*…Grace allows this.
Elizabeth says
It is so difficult sometimes to not feel guilty over spending time with God and away from our babies! Our lives should be seamless, every piece being holy, yet I always seem to bounce from kid-time to cleaning-time to (sometimes!) God-time…and wonder why I feel so disjointed at the end of the day! Thank you for the reminder that each day is a gift from God.
Barbie says
A mama’s work is never done. It’s important that we give ourselves a “time out” away from our children, to rest and recharge. I love Psalm 23. I love the part where it says “he makes me lie down”. I was once told if I don’t enter into His rest willingly, He will cause me to lie down, to rest. He knows how much we need that. Blessings!
Christen says
It is so nice to hear from other mamma’s that feel this way too! I did another post on my blog recently about the responsibility of being a mom. I think we all need time to *see* (thanks Danelle!) and quiet our souls.
Thank you for your comments 🙂
Blessings, christen
here’s the link to that post I was telling y’all about:
http://theuncontainabletruth.com/2011/10/truth-6/
Lacy says
Great post, Christen!
Lacy
Julie says
Loved this! I couldn’t help but think of a recent blog post I wrote on the same topic:
http://tracinggrace.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/i-move-things/
Such a blessing to be sisters learning together and sharing our hearts.
Heidi White says
Thanks for sharing this, Christen! Us mommas of little ones need a special grace for the daily grind – you are soaking it in and your family & your heart will be blessed! Hugs!
Kasey Krawiec says
Great post! Thanks for the encouragement!
Sarah says
Amen, Christen! Some days it is near impossible to find the blessings hiding within all the clutter, but they ARE there and He will show them to us if we let Him.