To The Mamas Who Clean Up Messes for a Living
Does it ever feel like every day is Groundhog’s Day? You peak out from your hole to find the same messes as yesterday, the same laundry list, the endless to-dos.
So often I start head on into my tasks at hand, disheartened that none of my efforts last for more than a few minutes. Clothes and kids get dirty again, messes that just were cleaned up are now covering the floor, meals need made {again and again}. Job security, Mamas.
Raise your hand if you ever feel frustrated, overwhelmed, unappreciated, discouraged? {Me! Me! Me!}
Sometimes it’s easy to become resentful to the mess-makers in your house after you’ve picked up the 8th pair of socks off the floor, your back hurts from wiping up another milk spill, the puzzles have turned into one giant heap of a hundred pieces, and bedtime is still hours away. {Mom, I owe you. I mean I really, really owe you. Thank you.}
Sometimes they become interruptions to the tasks at hand. “No I cannot play a game with you right now, Timmy. Can you not see this dirty floor that needs vacuumed?”
I love this quote from Parenting Wild Things. These are the children that fill your home for just a short moment, who want to be near you, who in their messiness need you. Does our attitude reflect that they are more than tasks and mess-makers?
Perhaps the messes in our homes can remind us of the own messes we’ve made in our lives. The crushed Cheerios on the floor are so insignificant in comparison to some of the messes I’ve made in my own life. Yet I have a Heavenly Father who has loved me through the mess, and cleansed me of all of my unrighteousness.
Let’s remember we aren’t doing this motherhood gig for the accolades, the recognition, the perks, the credit, or the appreciation. It’s so much bigger than what we can make it out to be on our daily schedules. In the midst of messy floors we are impressing little lives.
That is no small “to-do” task, Mamas. Close your eyes to the mess for a moment and take in this blessed opportunity, because it’s fleeting.
Stop. Deep Breath. Inhale some perspective.
Let’s not define our days by the tasks we’ve completed, but by the moments that truly mattered in raising our children.
Amen!! Great post! I too often think of my son as a task to mark off.. I need to embrace the mess because that means I have a boy in my house making one and for that I am thankful!
I’m reading “Just a Minute” by Wess Stafford (president and CEO of Compassion) right now, and it’s got a very similar bent. Highly needed and recommended! 🙂
What a great thing to keep in mind. The mess isn’t nearly as important as enjoying time with your kids. They will never be this age again, so we better enjoy it while we can.
Thanks for sharing the quote from Parenting Wild Things!
GREAT post – I remember when my daughter was young and at the end of every evening I was picking up and putting away (once again) – and finally one evening I just sat down, and looked at the mess for quite a while – and realized how sad I was for the homes who didn’t have the privilege to have that sort of mess; and thought of all the women who wanted to have that mess in their homes and couldn’t. It helped me keep it in perspective (for a little while anyway)…but reality and humaness and tiredness, etc…always manages to creep in – ah will we ever learn to keep the focus on God ALL THE TIME?!?
Wonderful post! Thanks for helpins us mamas get a little perspective! 🙂
I just found you through pinterest, and I’m so happy I did. I’m a mother of three with #4 set to arrive in 3 weeks, and this is something I definitely needed to read… especially as my aching back and I watch crumbs fall to the floor like snowflakes in a blizzard. (When will it end?!) Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi Emily,
It is hard being a mother but you never stop being a mum this is the moment in your life not to ask when will it end, embrace & enjoy it because they grow up way too fast and go there own way and you will wish they were little again. The one advice I can give to mums is cherish this time and look back when they grow up and you can say I gave all the time and love I possibly could, for these precious ones are given to us to raise in loving and safe homes. Teach them well and hope and pray they will make good choices in life, that won’t cause them unhappiness. You put them first along with your husband and you will be rewarded beyond your own comprehension.
Beautifully written, Jen. You sure are amazing! Love your writing!
You are a beautiful encouragement, Sioby!