So at lunch today, sort of randomly Suza, 3, blurts out, "Mom, you're joking."  I think she was just trying out a new phrase she must have heard someone say. 

Then Jamie,4, retorts with a superior air of experienced authority:  "No Suza, Moms don't joke." 

Oh really?  I did not know this.  I must have missed it in Momhood 101.  I cocked my head to one side, "They don't?  Really?" 

'No" he affirmed with wide-eyed seriousness. "Moms don't joke."  

Uh-oh.  I guess I need to lighten up, eh?  It cracked me up.  I loved that sweeping  generalization.    

Ok--big inhale, so, how's your week going everybody?  Mine's hard work.  Now I'm not being negative at all here.  But I want to be honest, because I've heard all sorts of people comment recently with some degree of wonderment that I seem to appear to be mothering this little brood of a half-dozen youngsters effortlessly.     Or that I'm making it look easy.  (What a pair of earrings, a little lipstick and a smile will do!)  While I am very gratified that I don't appear to be the poster child for Mother Goose's frazzled "old woman who lived in a shoe...with so many children she didn't know what to do" I'm here to confess.  I like the dad in the original Cheaper by the Dozen movie who when the paperboy asked him, "Gee, mister, are these all your kids?" said in a booming voice,  "YES, and believe me, it's NOOOOO picnic!!"   It really is hard work.  But it is so sweet and good.   And I am happy and thankful for each unique precious soul that God has entrusted to my care for this small season of life.  (some days it feels like forever, but it's not.) I remind myself often that these will probably be the times that I look back upon in later years as the best times of our lives.  I often do feel overwhelmed.  The organization required, the patience required, the teaching and training required, the stamina...it is all more than I have. 

 This season of motherhood is of eternal worth though.   We moms must not lose heart as we pour ourselves out in our sacrifice of service!  I think Scripture has trained my mind to cling to the peace that passes understanding.  Titus 2:11 says, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness  and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..." There is a peace that comes from submitting to the needs and tasks of home-life.   It can preside even when in the midst of a hectic and full day.  I feel it when I coo into the face of my sweet 4 month old baby and watch those beaming baby grins.  I pass it on when stoop to gaze into the eyes of a busy pretending 3 year old and bring her on my lap or up on my  bed for a few moments of singing the ABC's.  I seek to spread it by squeezing my 11 year old's hand as we drive in the car to football practice.  Ironically it really doesn't relate to how many children are under my domain.  It's a product of trusting in Him and obeying his call on my life right now.   

I do have to battle negative thoughts...more often than I'd like to admit.  Particularly at the end of the day...around six o'clock when I tend to be tired, my thoughts can become skewed.  But rest is important...and remaining in the Word.  These are my secret weapons.  Satan revels in our discouragement that robs our joy...from comparisons, busy-ness, inaccurate thoughts.  I have battled resentment at times when I feel I've been robbed of "my" time in a given day or week.  And yet, recently the Lord has revealed to me this thunderbolt of wisdom, "Hey!  You need to expect this to be hard work.  It is!"  I am praying that God continues to bring my heart to embrace it with joy, that he'll help me die to "self."  I pray that you and I both, my cherished mom-friends, will continue setting an example for others with lives that radiate joy and contentment with God's call on our lives to serve our families. 

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Posted by ClagettsFLStyle

You ARE doing a great job! What a great entry.

We mom's do need to encourage each other and spur each other on. I loved reading this. Your honesty is what will make so many mom's feel normal ;-)

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Posted by EEEEMommy

Thanks, Christa!
I needed to read this!

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Posted by Anonymous

But you see Christa, even when you're admitting to being sometimes frazzled....you do it with grace.

very good post.

Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com

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Posted by Anonymous

Hear, hear! I think we all have times when we feel overwhelmed. It's the times we think we have it all together we need to worry about.
Your post reminds me of a post I was thinking about writing. I was nudged by God this morning in my devos. I was reading II Corinthians 12:9ff. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I DELIGHT in weaknesses....."

I have shared with a friend recently about the comments I receive when people hear I am to have two babies less than a year apart. The majority of comments are disparaging. "Wow, that's going to be rough." "You think you're tired now!" "What in the world are you going to do?" "Did you PLAN this?" "What were you thinking?" And on and on and on....

Do people honestly think I haven't thought about the tough road ahead? Do they think I have my head in the clouds anticipating a well-rested and breezy life in the next few years? Is being a mom ever easy?

I know it will be hard, but I must rejoice that God's grace is sufficient. I don't need to focus on the negative, but rather focus on delighting in my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me.

The same is true for you or any mom, dear friend. None of us are perfect, but we delight in Him and rejoice with the fruit he blesses.

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Posted by Anonymous

~last comment from Allison :)

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Posted by Anonymous

when I asked you if I could actually come "watch" you homeschool. I don't remember your response, but it was less than inviting (not mean, just not....well, inviting!) I chuckle now that I have dabbled in the HS adventure with a K, PreK and infant.....its just not the sit at the table, picture perfect setting that I was envisioning!! Don't get me wrong, it's GREAT and we are getting the job done, but it's NOT school! It's home! And though there is structure, you can't schedule in the juice spills, the sicknesses, the tantrum, the disintrest, or the hungry baby. The chaos in inevitible, but like I said in my last post, and you echoed in yours, it is when I surrender to it all, I feel most at peace. Thanks for reminding me that we are ALL battling SELF. That was a great post.
Love ya!
Leah

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Posted by chelle

I enjoyed this blog post because it is great to know I am not alone! I struggled the first couple of weeks with Kyra and I was frustrated that everyone else seemed to have it down pat. Knowing that we all go through these waves of being overwhelmed is encouraging in that we make it through and there is joy on the other side. You are right when you said that no one ever guaranteed that it would be a cinch to raise children. Thanks for the transparency. When we are willing to voice our struggles it is being humble, yet it is not weakness. When we are at that point of admitting we cannot do this in and of ourselves we allow the H.S. to work through us to be and do what the Lord wants us to do for our children. Great post!
love,
chelle

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Posted by Anonymous

ooh, moms don't joke huh? that's no fun:)

I read Cheaper by the Dozen! that's a good book:P

onedaymore

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Posted by gkbcameron

Hi...I guess I'm one of the guilty ones who accused you of living the glamorous life with your half-dozen chick-a-dees. I can understand why you wanted to clarify that while life has joy and fun times it is also is hard work. I heard recently that one of the biggest problems today is equating "hard" with "bad". We don't expect life to be hard with all the modern conveniences and technology we have. One day without the internet or a couple hours without electricity we THINK we're living the hard life. That's why I am excited about delving into missionary biographies with the kids when they get a little older to show what hard livin' for Jesus was really like. I didn't mean to imply that you seemed to be supernatural - I just wanted to compliment your grace and joy amidst the everyday ups and downs.
Love, K

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Posted by CTdittmar

Wow, that's a really neat point that K. above just made. About hard not being bad. I think growing up I wasn't really made to grow accustomed to hard work. I did some chores, like after-dinner dishes occasionally and vacuuming and dusting. But I didn't do one stitch of laundry! My mother shouldered most of the home duties on her own...the hardest thing I'd had to do prior to children was make it through exam weeks! So adjusting to the workload of motherhood and homeschooling has been like climbing a steep 14-er, but nonetheless rewarding. Like she said, hard isn't necessarily bad. In this case it is good, because it is going to bring eternal fruit and we can learn to find joy in even things that are tough.

Edited by CTdittmar on Nov. 1, 2007 at 3:33 AM

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Posted by Darrensgirl

Thanks for sharing the ups and downs! Your entry served as a wonderful reminder to snatch those little moments in time with our sweet ones. Sometimes with so many blessings, it's hard to make time for everyone. Taking those small opportunities to let them know we love them and relish in the gifts that they are to us is all we need.

Much love my friend!
Maggie

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