He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. Ecc. 3:11-13
Good morning friends 🙂 Most of you know I am a parent, as my illustrations tend to focus around my younger children. Actually, I have four children. The oldest just turned 16 this past weekend. We also have an 11 year old daughter, a 6 year old son, and the youngest, Andrew, who will be 5 in about a month. You may not know that the two older children are actually my step-children. They live equally in both this home and their mother’s home. My husband and I both work full-time jobs, and when we’re not at work we’re trying our best to just keep our heads above water with laundry, basketball and volleyball practices and games, and everything else that comes our way on a daily basis.
None of what I’ve said is that unusual of a story. The thing is, though, that I have realized that I have over-committed to things outside of my family. My evenings and weekends are as busy with commitments as are the days. My children are spending more time with teachers, sitters and other care providers than they are with me. Thankfully, the people that they are with are good people, and are having a positive impact in the kid’s lives. But I am the person God chose to be their mom. And things have gotten to a point where even when I am home, I am too distracted with the “stuff” I need to do to actually spend time being a mom.
I’ve really wrestled with this because there are many things that I want to do, be involved in, and participate in. A very good friend of mine gave me this advice: “When you are in the young motherhood season, be careful not to commit to too many activities outside your home. It is more difficult to disciple and teach your children if you are running around all the time. Don’t feel guilty for not being involved in a lot of activities, or even ministries.”
Seasons end. This time with in my life, a time with little boys who beg for my attention and still want snuggles at the end of the day, will not be here forever. And these children – all four of them – are who God has put in my life and in my home to be a mother to. As much as I love being in the Bible Journal family, I am going to step down for a while. There are other commitments I have been stepping back from, and it’s not an easy thing for me to do.
I challenge you to this: In every season, choose joy and embrace the season you are in. And recognize that the roles we are in now, our relationships, mistakes, or even our failures and sins don’t define us. Focus on Christ and why we are here, and let your eyes be opened to see the incredible opportunities He has given each one of us in whatever season we may be in. For now, mine is to nurture and the four of His children for the plans He has made for them.
