
Some days are a lot less “great” than others. Today, is one of the great ones. Not because of any one thing in particular. It's rainy and summertime storming outside but inside I'm cozied up in bed next to a sleeping baby in the midst of a nap, listening to the sounds of our family dog as she snores loudly in her bed, at the foot of ours.
Last week however, I had one of those less “great” days I mention. One where I was barely able to send a work email, do the dishes, or keep up with the clothing changes from baby's spit-up all day. But two moments in particular defined that less than “great” day. The first was my decision to take everyone outside to the back porch for lunch. In doing so I lost sight of our dog Bella for what seemed like mere seconds, but those seconds proved to be enough. When she reappeared she was covered, as though she had bathed, in fish oil from the scraps of our neighbor across the street's food truck business. She stank so badly my lunch was immediately over. I felt exasperated, it was the 2nd time in a week she had done this to me, and I knew I couldn't bathe her until my baby was napping. My prized baby-nap-time 'let's get stuff done' time was now being hijacked by our dog. I left her outside until the nap had commenced and with gloves in one hand and the monitor in the other, I headed to the hose on the side of the house with our dog. After the nap and the dogs bath I decided to be courageous and pull this day back around. I would go to the grocery store. Even though it was nearing the end of the day I thought I had to do something that would make me feel a tad successful and accomplished. So off we went. An hour later with baby in harness, groceries in cart, I wheeled up to the checkout and placed the items on the belt. And this is when the second defining moment of the day took place. When I reached into my purse I didn't even have to look inside before I knew exactly what I had done. I had left my wallet on the desk in my office. I remembered because I had told myself earlier that day not to forget to put my wallet back into my purse. But I had forgotten. So there I stood with a cart full of bagged groceries that would not be going home with me as the line of customers getting anxious behind me grew. Thankfully the groceries did make it home with my husband an hour later after he got off work. But as I unpacked the melted Coconut ice Cream I wished for a better day than the one I had just had.
Not all days are great. And on this particular one I did not feel like the wonder women Solomon speaks about in Proverbs 31:10-31 who rises before dawn to make clothes aka do the laundry, finds merchant ships to purchase goods from aka go grocery shopping (successfully, I might add), plant gardens or do charity . In fact I felt instead like a disaster. A failure, not handling my new role well.
Ironically it was the very day before this one that I had spoken words I believe to be true. "God must reserve special energy, efficiency and grace for Mothers. Because I have 1/2 of the time I used to but somehow I accomplish twice as much and sometimes more, all while tending to my little one."
I cannot figure it out any other way. I think back on my time before the birth of my son and I wonder what I did with all of that time, and how I am able to do so much now, with so little! The only answer I can come up with is this one: it is God’s special miracle reserved just for Moms. And how I cherish it! I would never have it any other way. Because even in the not so “great” moments, life is still better and far surpassing than any moment I had before my family. And the title of 'Mom' is the best title I've ever been given.
“He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.” Proverbs 31: 29-31
Sincerely,
Naomi Striemer
Best Selling Author, Speaker, Singer and Music Ministry Consultant.
www.naomistriemermusic.com
Last week however, I had one of those less “great” days I mention. One where I was barely able to send a work email, do the dishes, or keep up with the clothing changes from baby's spit-up all day. But two moments in particular defined that less than “great” day. The first was my decision to take everyone outside to the back porch for lunch. In doing so I lost sight of our dog Bella for what seemed like mere seconds, but those seconds proved to be enough. When she reappeared she was covered, as though she had bathed, in fish oil from the scraps of our neighbor across the street's food truck business. She stank so badly my lunch was immediately over. I felt exasperated, it was the 2nd time in a week she had done this to me, and I knew I couldn't bathe her until my baby was napping. My prized baby-nap-time 'let's get stuff done' time was now being hijacked by our dog. I left her outside until the nap had commenced and with gloves in one hand and the monitor in the other, I headed to the hose on the side of the house with our dog. After the nap and the dogs bath I decided to be courageous and pull this day back around. I would go to the grocery store. Even though it was nearing the end of the day I thought I had to do something that would make me feel a tad successful and accomplished. So off we went. An hour later with baby in harness, groceries in cart, I wheeled up to the checkout and placed the items on the belt. And this is when the second defining moment of the day took place. When I reached into my purse I didn't even have to look inside before I knew exactly what I had done. I had left my wallet on the desk in my office. I remembered because I had told myself earlier that day not to forget to put my wallet back into my purse. But I had forgotten. So there I stood with a cart full of bagged groceries that would not be going home with me as the line of customers getting anxious behind me grew. Thankfully the groceries did make it home with my husband an hour later after he got off work. But as I unpacked the melted Coconut ice Cream I wished for a better day than the one I had just had.
Not all days are great. And on this particular one I did not feel like the wonder women Solomon speaks about in Proverbs 31:10-31 who rises before dawn to make clothes aka do the laundry, finds merchant ships to purchase goods from aka go grocery shopping (successfully, I might add), plant gardens or do charity . In fact I felt instead like a disaster. A failure, not handling my new role well.
Ironically it was the very day before this one that I had spoken words I believe to be true. "God must reserve special energy, efficiency and grace for Mothers. Because I have 1/2 of the time I used to but somehow I accomplish twice as much and sometimes more, all while tending to my little one."
I cannot figure it out any other way. I think back on my time before the birth of my son and I wonder what I did with all of that time, and how I am able to do so much now, with so little! The only answer I can come up with is this one: it is God’s special miracle reserved just for Moms. And how I cherish it! I would never have it any other way. Because even in the not so “great” moments, life is still better and far surpassing than any moment I had before my family. And the title of 'Mom' is the best title I've ever been given.
“He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.” Proverbs 31: 29-31
Sincerely,
Naomi Striemer
Best Selling Author, Speaker, Singer and Music Ministry Consultant.
www.naomistriemermusic.com