After I changed my third poopy diaper that day, I turned to my husband and said, “I’ll always change diapers. I will never NOT change diapers.” Our oldest son David has a disability and will likely be diapered his entire life. At the end of a long day, I felt defeated. I felt done. I felt empty.
Then my husband asked me, “What if changing diapers is the most important thing you do all day?”
“What do you mean?” I asked. How could changing a diaper be important? I create jewelry, I write a blog, I speak at conferences. How could something so menial and mundane, like changing a diaper, make even the smallest difference?
My husband explained, “Think of heaven. David’s body will be whole. He won’t have a disability. And imagine him saying,
‘Thank you, Mom. You gave me dignity when I couldn’t care for myself.”
It was such a small, simple statement. But it completely changed my perspective. It matters. Changing a diaper matters. All the little things we do, day after day, matter. Serving with love matters. And God will use it. As you tie shoes, wipe up spills, prepare dinner, and pick popcorn kernels out of couch cushions, remember that it matters. You matter.
The mama necklace was created to celebrate motherhood. It’s the perfect gift for yourself, your mom, your sister or dear friend. Remind them that they matter. And all the menial, mundane things that fill up the day MATTER.
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(in)courage and DaySpring are so honored to partner with Lisa Leonard. We love her heart and her beautiful hand-stamped jewelry! You can find the Mama Necklace here and other beautiful Lisa Leonard products here on dayspring.com.
If you’re not familiar with Lisa’s story, we’d love to invite you to watch this video and learn a little more about her! {Email subscribers, click here!}
Leave a Comment
Dana at Happy Little Lovelies says
There’s so much grace in that reminder. I needed that… thank you.
lisa leonard says
thank YOU Dana. I think I need that reminder every day. xx
Kim kalua says
Beautiful. I have a big, permanant baby too. Diapers forever. Great perspective! Thanks for sharing and lifting the mundane up. Blessings dear Mama!
lisa leonard says
Blessings to you! xx
Marty says
I’ve got a 28 year old son who has Down Syndrome. There are a lot of things I didn’t think I would be doing for him at this stage in his life, but I always, always want him to have his dignity. Thank you so much for sharing this post today. You’ve got a keeper in that husband of yours. Wise man. I hope to carry his words in my heart every day.
lisa leonard says
He definitely is a keeper. Thank you Marty. Sending you a big hug. xx
Lisa Tindal says
Fixing a PB and J for a teenage son who is in every way (except words, thankfully) saying…I don’t really need you anymore or handling matters for an adult daughter who is capable, but still wants mama to be involved. When we do these things without drudgery and martyrdom we are demonstrating love, simple, loving.
lisa leonard says
Beautifully said, Lisa. What does it look like to serve without expecting anything in return? I think we have to look to Christ for hope and identity. Sending you a big hug!
And now I’m craving a PB&J sandwich. 😉
Mary says
this is lovely, Lisa…what a beautiful reminder of the importance of mothers. Everywhere. All the time. thank you.
lisa leonard says
Thank you, Mary! Being a mother is amazing and heartbreaking and wonderful. xx
Stephanie says
This is a beautiful reminder and fills me with hope. I love that and am thankful for it.
Sometimes I just wish it wasn’t all about selling me something, though. 🙁
TaraHorsley says
This is a beautiful reminder. I have to teenage sons. When I wash their clothes and shoes, fix dinner and helping them with homework. I am showing love.
tiffany day says
oh sweet lisa – thank you for sharing this wonderful reminder and thank you to Steve.
i LOVE your blog – I admire your heart and the willingness to be vulnerable and real – i am thankful for your perspective and how you long to find beauty and to be intentional and enjoy the little things!
it is a little hope of mine to one day sit with you and have coffee!! we don’t live too far apart from each other – I am in LA. 🙂
have a wonderful weekend!
xo
Susan says
Lisa, there are really no words except, “Wow.” Thank you for giving me both heavenly and earthly perspective today.
Dawn says
Thank you Lisa. I needed to read that today
Bonnie Jean says
What you do for your son matters more than anything else you could ever do. It is truly our gifts of service in love that give other people the feeling of security, love, dignity, safety… these are so much more important than any rewards this world has to offer. I want to give you and all the parents of children with challenge and disabilities in any area of life a huge HUG and an Academy Award for parenting. In heaven we all will be whole and your Savior will be telling you “Welcome home, my good and faithful servant.” There is nothing you can do that matters more.
Beth WIlliams says
Lisa,
Thank you for this timely post. Sometimes at work I can feel useless and not important. You reminded me that even the small stuff done right is important to someone. In the end God will say well done good and faithful servant. It may be stocking a room, cleaning a room, ordering supplies, scanning papers, calling for medical records, etc. Not the “exciting” work of RNs like doing a blood sugar, drawing labs, etc. Just the daily mundane chores.
They are appreciated by someone and one day we will all get our thanks!
Blessings:)
Lea says
Oh, LIsa, this was so inspiring and even though my children are long grown and have children of their own, I still have things that I do everyday that I had forgotten, “matter.” Thanks for the reminder!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says
It matters! Love you, Lisa!
Fran says
Hi Lisa! Love this post! I know of you (bought one of your necklaces at the Chicago conference) we have CdLS in common. My son is 10
Debi Schuhow says
And…..
God takes that which the world states is foolish and transcends it into……
Wisdom.
Beth Jones says
Thanks Lisa. I find you so inspiring. I have a special needs son who just turned 18. I am still tying his shoes.
Jo says
Lisa you have a wonderful husband. When you reach a low point as a caregiver don’t be afraid to ask for help, get away for a bit and take a break if possible.