Are you rushed today, Momma?
School is in session, and the slow, sweet pace of summer has all together ceased. Lazy days by the pool have been replaced with waiting in car lines to deliver nervous little ones to new destinations, and “what do you wanna do today” has been swapped for “hurry up, we’re running late!”
Fun, relaxed mom is now a hurried woman on a mission, packing nutritious yet exciting lunches instead of gathering snacks for an impromptu picnic. Waking up early, and struggling to get grumpy children pried from their stubborn, summer vacation sleep schedule.
Raised voices, flared tempers, and out-of-hand tantrums, by mom and kiddos alike.
Worries about running late, making the required commitments, and not forgetting something detrimentally important behind.
Being stretched in every possible direction, never having enough time to achieve every single thing on the dreaded list, and feeling like an absolute and exhausted failure even before the sun has set.
On-the-go breakfasts, cold lunches, and quick dinners prepared on the fly. Last minute runs to the store to get a neglected, but much needed item, over and over again. Never quite feeling like you got it all right, no matter how hard you tried.
Tears during homework, tears during bath time, and more tears when bedtime comes too quickly.
Laying your head down with relief on your comfy pillow after another long, rushed, hectic day. Grateful for the quiet and stillness after a busy day, but not so fond of the way your mind keeps running even after the lights go out.
Could I have done better today? I didn’t get half of the things accomplished that I desired to complete!
Was I too harsh today, yelling a bit too much at kids for simply being kids?
Why must it be so rushed?!
If you could hear the voice of God in these moments of perceived failure He would speak a different tune.
Slow down. He would say. Try to enjoy it.
You would realize what’s important, really important, and even perhaps what is not.
You’d understand that when your life is overwhelmed your soul becomes underwhelmed, and in the rush to complete so much, you miss out on even more.
Take the time to seek my face. The Lord would remind us. Lay your burdens at my feet, surrender your day to me. Pray for patience, and keep praying for it.
In our letting go we could truly take hold of all the beauty in every precious, fast-paced day. We could stop and count to ten, quiet our spirit, and start over again. We could cut ourselves some slack, and even our children too. We could remember time is fleeting, and spending it well is better than spending it busy.
Slow down. He would say. Enjoy yourself. What seems so important at this very moment is but a wrinkle in the overall scheme of life. Prioritize, practice thanksgiving, and just breathe.
We, the rushed women, would remember what’s really important. And it’s not getting to every single soccer practice precisely on-time.
We, the hectic mother, would understand that perfection is not something we can obtain, but it is a recognition we can have of the glorious and busy life that we have been given.
We would hug our children a little bit tighter, and we would read that extra bedtime story.
We would let our lips linger a little while more before their little bodies ran out the door. We would lay down at night, and although still exhausted, with a joyful heart we would sleep well. We’d be at peace with our roles as mothers, savoring each moment like there would never be another.
We’d still be rushed, as it’s hard not to do, but we wouldn’t allow the clock to tell us what to do.