My Home, The Zoo.

In the children's book, (that's perfect for parents too), "Love You Forever", by Robert Munsch, living with a teenager equates to sometimes feeling as if you live in a zoo.



Unfortunately, for me, my children are 7, 6, four days shy of 4, and 2 & 1/2,
and I'm already at the zoo...
within the walls of my home.



My daughter doesn't look like she appreciates that comment,
but, why wait until they're teens to say they're acting like monkeys, am right? 

I never knew what it was like to have a "typical kid" until my fourth child was born. You know, the kind of kid that you can't turn your back on for 5 seconds for fear they'll somehow find a marker and color on the walls? That's my 2 & 1/2 year old.



The most mischievous kid I've ever met; nothing like a two year old to keep you on your toes!

I half-joking, half-seriously say often, "Had he been my first-born, he'd be an only child".
But, seriously, that's no joke!

The sense of peace I feel, deep within my soul, is there only by the grace of God. Peace within chaos, how could it otherwise be other than to possess the peace that passes all understanding? 
(Philippians 4:7)

Sometimes, I look around my living room, littered with toys, and I am over-whelmed by the daily chores of trying to keep things tidy. I feel like I'm drowning in the mess of it all.
(Because, it's a mess that has no end... just like the laundry... and the dishes).
But, I know I have a Father who is gently leading me up the ladder,



out of the abyss,
and one-step-at-a-time, daily,
one foot in front of the other, of daily routines;
eventually, the years will go by where my little mess makers become my helpers:
Moving beyond the help of unfolding the folded laundry
and onto kids that actually desire to hang-up,
and put away,
the clothes that have just been laundered.
(Okay, for those with teenagers, maybe that last part only exists in our mothering dreams)?

It's okay to be over-whelmed in the moments of mothering. It's okay to not count it all joy. Motherhood is stressful and it's messy;



And, that's okay.

It's okay to be honest.

David was counted as a man after God's own heart;
I believe it was because of his honest communication.
He laid bare his soul, when he spoke to our Heavenly Father, and so I say again:



Motherhood becomes bearable, and enjoyable, if you are able to share the foibles,
that someday will be funny,
and are able to embrace the mess as beautiful rather than just a mess that leads to stress.

A house lived in becomes a home;
may we all find ourselves at home.

May your walls be filled with laughter, fun, joy; embrace each moment for what it is.
Less stress, more smiles;
let go of what you can't change because, as time goes by, things will change all on their own.






 


1 Response

Jean Postema
Jean Postema

April 27, 2017

Each one of the ABC’s is better than the last. Of course the last, The Zoo" to me is the best of the best. I’m already looking forward to the what you have yet to write because as I’ve always said, the best is yet to come.

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