Do you ever look back upon your day and think, "What did
I really accomplish?" Every week I hear from frustrated mothers who
feel they don't have enough hours in the day to do all that's needed.
Most of them have young children and when someone asks them, "What
did you do today?",they look back and have a hard time producing tangible
evidence of a full day's work! "Hmmm...I cleaned up the house some
but it's messy again. The dishes were done, but we used them again.
I spent time cooking dinner but we ate it in fifteen minutes. We homeschooled---"Children,
tell your father what you learned today!" (Young children give their
mom a blank look,then sidle up next to her and whisper, "What? Tell
me again!") We've all probably had days like this! One of the busiest
seasons of life is when all the children are young --on the other
hand, when they are young, you can afford to be more relaxed about
their homeschooling and cover the necessary work in just a few hours
a week--while spending more time working on attitudes, obedience,
sibling relationships, teamwork, talking and learning about the Lord,
enjoying hugs and stories, learning about nature and why things work
the way they do, counting spoons and subtracting and dividing cookies--and
of course, answering lots of questions! Are you viewing taking care
of all the children's needs, changing diapers, answering questions,
wiping tears, teaching obedience, mopping up spilled milk, etc., as
"interruptions"?
They're not, they are some of the MAIN occupations
of a mom with young children! So often during these years, our efforts
seem to have no tangible results at the end of the day, but just because
we can't always SEE what's been done, doesn't mean nothing has been
accomplished. We are shaping young lives, and allowing the Lord to
shape ours in the process as we yield to Him each day. We are ministering
to the Lord as we minister to our family!
I used to like everything
perfectly planned and in order, but I have had to learn to relax--
six children and a "perfect" house just don't go together. I'll admit
I still have days I'd like to have my own apartment just so I could
have just one place kept perfectly neat! I have to be flexible because
with so many young children, things often get put on hold. We do have
a good basic routine, which helps, but I have to allow time for interruptions.
I also make lists and then don't get upset if I don't get everything
done. A new day begins tomorrow!
I have to remind myself that even
though it may seem like I didn't accomplish much some days, I'm actually
doing the most important work in the world--helping to mold and shape
precious human lives with the Lord's help. What an awesome responsibility.
We can provide a secure, loving environment for them in the midst
of all the chaos in the world! We can lead them to Jesus, teach them
His ways and help prepare them for the unique ministry that He has
for each one of them.
If the floor didn't get mopped, and the clothes
are filling all eight baskets in the laundry room, what difference
does it make? Eventually those things will get done, but in the meantime,
our children have a mother who truly loves and cares for them, even
during the less than glorious times! Some days being a godly mother
is all one can accomplish--and it is a BIG accomplishment. After all,
I don't plan to take my baskets of laundry and the kitchen floor with
me when Jesus returns--I do plan to take my family! And there won't
be any quizzes for my 9 year old to make sure she knows her multiplication
tables before she enters Heaven. We've got to keep things in perspective.
Academics are important, but there are other things more important--and
if we keep the right perspective, the Lord will bless our homeschooling,
our mothering, and our family! [Please note--this was written years
ago and I can now report that the nine year old is now a teenager
and knows her multiplication tables well!]
Attempting to be "good
stewards" of their time, some mothers crowd many activities into each
day. Therefore, they end up pressuring themselves in ways God never
intended! We need time to train our children and enjoy them--time
to rest and meditate upon God's Word and allow Him to speak. Time
to act in response to circumstances of daily life instead of reacting
to the swirling events that surround us. Doing all things without
murmurings and disputings--that we might shine as lights, holding
forth the word of life--so we can say with Paul, that we will not
have laboured in vain. (Colossians 3)
If this has been a struggle for
you recently, why not ask the Lord to give you His perspective, and
allow Him to reveal any areas that need changing? He is so patient
and longsuffering with us, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit is
always tempered with encouragement that we can repent, receive forgiveness
and a clean slate. He delights in our dependence upon Him and freely
bestows all the grace we need!
