I have been using this blog 99% of the time to give our Jet fans out there some pictures and stories to smile about. Yes, there are tons. However, I thought I'd take a moment to talk about Real Life. To talk about the things that maybe aren't talked about all the time, but are important. The things on my heart as of late. Mine is cleanliness. Well, I should rephrase. The thing on my mind is my inability to keep up with a clean home... and I only have
one child... and a tiny (wonderful) house.
I have been a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) now for almost 6 months and absolutely love it. The unfortunate thing about this society is that when you tell others that you're a SAHM you feel like you have to justify your time. That you're not a lazy person, because after all, what do we
do all day??
My mom has told me over and over again in the most elegant manner that we're
creating relationships. Every diaper, cry, and hard moment may not feel in and of themselves significant, but my mom tells me it's like a quilt. Each day is another stitch. I go further by elaborating in that every stitch isn't perfect and sometimes you need to re-stitch an entire panel, but ultimately the time, sacrifice, and labor of love will form the breath-taking end product. When Jet gets hurt one day or has important questions, it's those small stitches over time that will have laid the groundwork of a relationship to create the trust and love he will need in those moments (let me insert here that you can do this without being a SAHM, this is just my personal story).
Back to my thoughts. It's hard to be a SAHM and not be critical of yourself (to be blunt, I think it's hard to be a woman and not be critical of yourself). Nothing is ever fully finished. If it is, then it won't be like that for long. There's always more laundry, more dust, a better dinner, and several other "tasks" not completed to perfection. Since I have the entire day, what's my excuse? After all, my husband works all day long, so what am I doing? I must not work hard enough.
What a terrible lie to believe.
JT reminds me several times that I'm doing the Lord's work, and I'm doing it well. When he goes to work he's doing the Lord's work also. He is providing (monetarily) during the day and spiritually and emotionally in the evenings. I am fostering a home of love and security. Quite frankly (right now) that simply looks like changing diapers and helping our little man sleep/eat well. And that's enough. We're dancing the exquisite dance of life each in our own different (and distinct) roles. What powers this dance is an eternal perspective. One that does not waste moments on desires of this world but strives for worshipping the One who will sweep us home :) You can drive away any doubt, fear, or evil thought with the power of the Gospel. Shame on this world for belittling and down-playing the role of a mother.
God didn't call us to perfection... well, he did. But since we can't live out that high calling, Christ does it for us. It is not the chores, diapers, and hard tasks that are the most challenging as a mom (for me), it's giving myself the grace that Christ does. Having full confidence in my purpose of the small stitches. Not letting this world tell me my efforts aren't enough. Taking captive every moment, every thought in light of the Gospel. The more I do this, the more the clutter in the house becomes a pleasant reminder that He's enough. And I smile.
