I am a busy mom, and I have no problem with that. Yes, I’m semi cuckoo for cocoa puffs most of the time, but at night when everything gets real quiet I typically want to burst into happy tears for how awesome my life is. And maybe that’s a little cuckoo too, but I think we can give me a hormonal pass. I’m still postpartum after all.
My point is I don’t mind the chaos overall because it’s beautiful. I wouldn’t say I’m too blessed to be stressed, per se, but that’s only because I can’t control my frustrations over repeating the same commands to multiple tots under five fifty times a day. But whatever. It’s still awesome.
I love that I homeschool and work as a nurse. I adore taking kids to the park and even hauling them to the store. It’s fine. I enjoy cooking and keeping house, even if I’m majorly slacking at the latter. Everyone has a laundry chair/sofa in the living room, right?!
But sometimes I do get tired. I sell skincare products on the side, and sometimes I look at my dark circles and think, “that’s bad advertising girl.” I digress. The point is I don’t sleep through the night with a breastfeeding baby, and my waking hours are packed from the moment I wake until I pass out after midnight. Even if I do happen to sit down for a moment my lap is never my own. Plus that’s usually when someone asks for something.
Lately I’ve put a lot of time into my small business, and I’ve been doing events 1-2 nights a week. Last week I had two, and this week I had scheduled two more. A part of me dreaded what would fall away at home while I was working, but I told myself it was for the greater good and surged ahead with zeal. But then my week changed on me.
My first event got canceled, and I secretly sighed with relief. But then my second event got canceled as well. I started wondering worriedly if I should try and throw some time and effort into putting something else together last minute to benefit my business. If I wasn’t running I guess I felt like I wasn’t being purposeful. Being still felt odd.
But then God whispered to me.
Take this time. You need it. You can run yourself ragged trying to make something succeed, but you know deep down that you don’t make it happen in your efforts alone. I make things happen for you. Take this week. Enjoy your family. You deserve it. You can run again next week.
And just like that any guilt I had over not doing enough was gone. I have done school and picked up around the house, but many times I’ve just sat on the couch with my kids. I’ve cooked, but because I love it. I’ve shopped for pleasure, not just necessity. I have taken the time this week for me, because I needed it.
I think most busy women could take that cue. We could stop for a minute and listen to God tell us to take the time. The success of our lives isn’t solely dependent on our efforts. He drives our lives, He’s at the helm, and too many times we frantically try to steer and head things straight for a storm. Sometimes you just have to take a minute, take a day, take the time and do nothing because you deserve it. God honors that.
The responsibilities of parenthood, marriage, work, and home will never stop. They just keep spinning around, but sometimes we’re so tired and frustrated we end up spinning our wheels too.
God would say, “Take the time, Momma. You need it.”
Everything won’t fall apart in your rare moment of self-preservation. It will be waiting eagerly no doubt. So do what you love. Take the time to enjoy life. Smile, laugh, sleep. Whatever. Next week will come soon enough, but you’ll be all the better to face it anew.
[…] By Brie Gowen […]