Do you ever feel like life is just too hard? Here are three things you can do right now that will help.
The rain was pelting against the window. Scripture memory songs screeched through the speakers. Fingers typed on a keyboard trying to meet a deadline.
A baby cried in the background longing for Mommy to hold him. Remnants of lunch covered every surface of the kitchen. Dishes were piled in the sink like Mount Everest.
Water was boiling over on the stove while a tea mug sat waiting to be filled. Dirty tissues littered every surface in the house kitchen. Groceries sat on the dining room table screaming to be put away.
Wet sheets lay on the floor of a baby’s room because a diaper sprung a leak. Clean clothes that had been folded three times that day left a trail from the master bedroom to the bathroom. Laundry was souring in the washer, long forgotten.
The shower door was flung open where a plan for a shower had been abandoned. Toilet paper pooled beside the toilet as a result of curious little hands.
Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma could be ignored no longer. Snot was beginning to run into the little boy’s mouth from the endless tears.
But what about Mama?
She had snot running into her mouth from so many tears too. Who was going to mop them up for her? What about her? Why couldn’t someone pick her up, make her meals, do her laundry, or at the very least let her go potty in peace?!
Do you ever feel like this?
Yesterday, at 4 o’clock, if you had stopped by my house, you would have found me a weeping mess with my head between my legs begging my little boy to just.stop.touching.me. To which he responded by crawling between my legs, getting nose-to-nose with me and grinning.
What’s a mom to do when her pant legs are smeared with banana, flour hand prints are on her thighs, and a booger is on her leg (evidence of a clingy baby)?
3 Things You Can Do When Life Feel Too Hard
1. Don’t be ashamed.
Get it out, friend. Have yourself a good cry. You’ll hate the headache later, but you’ll release the pinned up stress and inevitably feel better. It really is okay to cry. Bring on the chocolate tissues!
2. Pray.
Tell God all about it. He really does want you to.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart to him; God is a refuge for us. ~ Psalm 62:8
It’s a relationship, friends. He’s your closest, most faithful friend. He gets it.
3. Tell someone.
The devil wants you to believe that you are alone, but that’s just simply not true.
So, pick up the phone or send a message to your girlfriend(s). Tell them you’re struggling.
Ten times out of ten (if they’re not struggling right then) they’ve been where you are at some point.
Case in point, in desperation, I went to a group of girls to ask if anyone had actually managed to go potty alone that day! I’ll give you one guess what the answer was.
I was not alone, and I needed to hear that.
I was reading a book today, Don’t Make Me Count to Three, and I had to laugh. There before me was another mom recounting her bathroom experiences and the toilet paper gone awry.
It’s amazing isn’t it? The things you took for granted before you had children? I will never look at the bathroom the same. As a matter of fact, I STILL walk in on my poor mama when she goes potty. Sorry, Mom. I won’t do it again. I swear.
Anyway, friends, there are hard days in the life of a mom. There are days you will cry and look a hot mess at 5:30pm when your husband walks through the door after a long day at work. That’s real life. That’s your life.
That’s the life you wouldn’t trade, right? I know I wouldn’t.
The task given to us mothers is most certainly a tall order. It takes every ounce of energy, strength, and grace that God can give us, but give us He does.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
What about you? What’s the weirdest thing you’ve found attached to your pant leg?
Need some more encouragement? Check out these posts:
- I Just Need Five Minutes
- Free Bible Reading Plan on Patience
- 4 Ways to Beat Discontentment When It Feels Too Hard
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Nikki
November 11, 2011 at 7:25 pmSo been there. So struggled. And let me tell you…this morning was one of those times. Anthony left for a little 2 day trip. Me. Alone. With a toddler. And a 10 month old. My health issues, my dietary changes for my children’s health issues….let’s just say I sent a text to my husband that I SHOULD NOT HAVE SENT. He graciously responded with “I understand, it is a lot on your plate. I will be home tomorrow and will do as much as I can to help you out”. He could have responded many other ways, and would have been justified to do so…but he didn’t. And I feel better. Of course I am saying this as one child is waking up from her nap and hollering at me and the other is crying on the floor. JUST 5 MORE MINUTES PLEASE! Ok, I needed to vent. Thanks for being transparent, yet again!
Leigh Ann
November 14, 2011 at 10:09 amNikki, I’ve done the same thing. Husbands who travel is a challenge in itself. Husbands who have to travel when things are a muck at home is an even bigger challenge. What grace that God gives us husbands who seek to live with their wives in an understanding way. Your hubby is to be commended! And you are to be commended for your humility in sharing your struggles. Friend, God gives grace to the humble. You’re in a tough season! But remember, it is just that…a season. The only thing that stays the same is that things change. Praying for you!
Stacy Makes Cents
November 12, 2011 at 10:27 am🙂 Yes, cry over spilled milk. I totally agree.
Smiley face stickers on my butt…..at the grocery store. Yes. Me.
Leigh Ann
November 14, 2011 at 10:09 amLove it, Stacy! I realized that evening that I had been all over town with my pants looking that way… 🙂
Anonymous
November 12, 2011 at 10:32 pmWhat a timely post! It’s as if you were describing the day I had yesterday. 🙂 Sometimes it is encouraging to know you aren’t alone. 🙂
Leigh Ann
November 14, 2011 at 10:10 amI sooooo agree! Another piece of evidence that God created us FOR community! 🙂 We’re not alone!
Anonymous
November 13, 2011 at 8:26 amI feel like this so often! I am reading “Grace for the Good Girl” by Emily Freeman, and a quote in there has been stuck in my head since I read it: “The life of a young mother can be a very dark place to live. People don’t really talk about that at baby showers. Those early days are filled with doubt, fear, worry, and lots of epic failures.” I decided then that if i’m ever given an opportunity to present the devotional at a church baby shower, that I’m just going to be really honest about how hard motherhood is. And how we need to approach it like you say here, with honesty, prayer, and encouragement from our sisters in Christ who are going through the same thing. Thank you for this – we all need to hear it over and over again!
Leigh Ann
November 14, 2011 at 10:13 amAnne, that is such a great and true quote. I think, we think, we are serving the mommy who is excited by not “bursting her bubble,” but I am so glad to have had friends who were completely honest!
However, I’ve learned that no amount of “counsel” can truly prepare you. The Lord ensures that we do not mother our children on our own accord. I see this as great evidence that He cares for our children far more than we ever can! I find peace in knowing that I can really screw it up, but God can redeem it! 🙂
Erin@TheHumbledHomemaker
November 13, 2011 at 11:15 pmLeighAnn, I LOVE.this.post! LOVE IT! This *is* my life! Thank you for being REAL! We need more real bloggers like you! I am so glad I’m not the only one!! Beautiful post!!
Leigh Ann
November 14, 2011 at 10:13 amThank you, Erin! That is such an encouragement to hear. 🙂
Mindy @ The Purposed Heart
November 15, 2011 at 11:24 amThis was a big encouragement to me Leigh Ann. I relate with your dirty pants…and everything else you said too 🙂 And no, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything, either!
Leigh Ann
November 16, 2011 at 2:49 pmThanks, Mindy. It’s always nice to know that I am not alone!
Molly
October 22, 2012 at 3:33 pmI love these thoughts! I just have one little guy right now, he’s almost 15 months but I’ve been working full time from home since he was 8 weeks old. I’ve lucked out that he’s very independent and loves to play by himself, but there are definitely days when he decides my phone is the one object he MUST have, right as the office calls, etc. I saw a great article the other day that called this “the mother’s Atonement” – giving us wonderful (although not always convenient) chances to learn to serve as Christ did.
Leigh Ann
October 22, 2012 at 3:39 pmAmen! I so understand the challenges of trying to work from home while caring for a little one! It puts us in the fast lane of sanctification, doesn’t it?