A Mother's Second Wind

I have said for months, maybe years now, that being a mom is a thankless job.  It's hours and hours, days and days, of diapers and midnight feedings.  Then later there's nightmares, first-day-of-kindergarten jitters.  Followed by homework help, the first day of junior high, acne.  Then, before you know it, there's broken hearts, driver's licenses, and graduation.  And behind all of it is a dedicated mom who wants nothing more than for her child to succeed.  But while moms do it out of love, it can sometimes seem difficult to keep going, knowing there are very few, if any, times the words "thank you" come out of the mouths of those very same children.  It can definitely make it difficult to stay motivated.

I had been feeling a little bit down about my job as stay-at-home mom.  I had even been considering going back to work, feeling like my kids didn't really need me anymore.  I had all but lost my drive to do the difficult job of laundry, shuffling kids to and from practice, grocery shopping, homework help, and dishes.  But as the new school year was approaching, and I had no other prospects in line, I prayed that God would show me what He had in store for me.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men

Colossians 3:23



Over and over again, God brought this scripture to my mind.  It even came up in a sermon recently at church.  Obviously, God has a message for me.  And once I stopped running from what I thought I didn't want to hear, I opened my ears and my heart and heard God speaking to me loud and clear: Why are you running from this job, this important job I gave you, when this is what you are supposed to be doing?

I haven't felt enthusiastic about these mundane jobs and chores that are required of a stay-at-home mom... until just two short weeks ago, when I heard God's voice speaking to me.  And I immediately prayed that God would put it in my heart to do this job to the fullest, as if I were serving Him, and always doing my best.  Granted, it's only been two weeks, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my mundane jobs.  I feel renewed and re-awakened.  I feel like God has given me a second wind.