31 Days of Everyday Grace: The Curse of Motherhood {Day 12}
The baby nursed and promptly fell back into a slumber. I rolled out of bed eager to dress and head downstairs for a hot cup of coffee and my Bible. I miss quiet mornings in the Word of God. I miss meeting with God without the background music of toddler jabber and grunting newborns. I miss the undistracted, unhurried time with my Savior.
While my coffee brewed, I gathered my quiet time materials. I stacked everything on the coffee table and retrieved my steaming cup of coffee. Just as I sat down, I heard the thump, thump, thump of toddler feet coming down the stairs and a baby crying through a monitor.
The curse.
You know the one, mamas. The “mama got up early to have a quiet time and now I will wake up early too” curse that belongs to every mama.
I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. ~Genesis 3:15
As I opened my Bible and looked at my children, I sighed. My quiet time was interrupted again and the coveted five minutes was gone. As a mom of little ones, my quiet times aren’t so quiet. My moments alone with the Lord are few and far between and that’s why when quiet times seem pointless, I must remember the Gospel.
So I tried to have a “real” quiet time. It didn’t happen. But I think Jesus understands.
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ~Matthew 14:13
My little crowd follows me everywhere I go. Where am I leading them? How will I receive them when they show up?
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ~Matthew 14:14
Lord, may I ever receive my little interruptions with compassion and love. May I never receive them as a burden, but as a gift. May I always see everyday grace in the eyes of my children eager to be with Mommy. Amen.
This post is part of 31 Days of Everyday Grace series. You can see all the posts here.
I needed this reminder!!
I loved this post! Although my babies are grown, the youngest is 16 now, I remember well being followed everywhere. I miss that now. It is only a season, and gone too soon. I am in awe of how you are trying to live well in this season. Thank you for your writings.
Laura, thank you for your words. They are so encouraging to me. Sometimes it feels like I will be in this season forever. It’s good to be reminded of how fast it goes.
Such a good prayer & reminder that our Savior knows & has been there. I heard once that Jesus really can relate with us as moms, people were constantly asking him questions, following him & my personal favorite: pressing into him. I feel that someone is always crawling all over me, touching, asking questions, just constantly. But as I remember how Jesus responded in these same situations and showed grace & compassion, I can ask Him, Jesus in me to give me the strength to do the same. Now if I would just actually do it, take that moment to ask!!