I recently had the responsibility (privilege) of caring for my 8 month old grandson for three days and two nights. Everything went really well, but I am tired!! I have a renewed appreciation for the work involved in caring for babies. How easy it is to forget the work that goes with that season of life.
During Timothy's visit I had a deja vu experience. I packed up the baby, with food, bottles diapers, change of clothes, toys, little-guy music, etc. We drove to PA where Joel and Ashley live. Tim had an appointment with another pastor from Covenant Fellowship, so, I jumped on board and used the trip to visit with Ashley and the kids. I was a little apprehensive as I was preparing for the trip. How would the baby travel? How would he handle the disruption in schedule? How would I be able to visit with Ashley if the baby was fussy? Would it really be worth the effort? But once in the van and on our way, I was increasingly excited to be out of the house and enjoying a change of scenery.
What a fun change it was!! I was thrust back in time as I found myself doing what I had done so often 20+ years ago. How often I spent an afternoon with a friend with our babies in our arms or our children playing at our feet. Rarely were these visits a free flow of conversation. There were always spills, tears, dirty diapers, arguments, etc. But that was part of the fun. Sharing motherhood, fellowship and usually a cold or hot drink with another mother.
So there I was yesterday doing exactly that. Only this time I was the grandmother with my daughter-in-law, and grandchildren at my feet. I was freshly aware of how blessed a woman I am.
As I close, I want to encourage all mothers of young children to get out and visit with other moms. Enjoy fellowship. Talk about the books you are reading. Share what recipes you've tried and like, or which ones were flops. Laugh together. Encourage the one who is down. Receive care from the one who can give it. Walk. Drink tea. And change diapers together.
It will make this season not quite so tiring, lonely or stressful when you have a sister in Christ making memories with you.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
The mothers at TFC blow me away with their selflessness.
They are wonderful examples of how to live for others (and usually without much notice).
I often think that motherhood contains more 'dying to self' than just about any other "vocation."
Thank you mothers for 'losing your lives'...you will reap tenfold for your sacrifices.
I agree with you about the mothers in TFC. They loudly proclaim the Gospel as they die to self on a daily basis.
I also have observed some godly single women investing their time and attention to the young ladies (girls) in the church. These single women cannot imagine what a blessing this is to a mother. Thank you ladies.
Post a Comment