For the Mamas

Sometimes when life is busy, you have to be really intentional about slowing it down. The last 3 months are so have probably been some of the most stressful I have experienced. I'm not one to use the word "stress" flippantly, because I am able to handle quite a bit in life without getting "stressed out." One thing I have discovered lately though, is working full time with an infant opens me up to empathize with a whole new crop of people; namely, working moms. Of course I have been a full time working mom for a couple of years, but throwing a newborn into the mix is a whole new ball of wax!

I am very passionate about my "job." I put the work job in quotation marks because I still can hardly believe I get paid to do what I have aspired to do all my life; and that is be in full time ministry! However, lately, I can easily skip over the little things in life because I can easily measure success by if the kids are fed, bathed, clothed...if my to-do list at church is checked off, if the bill are paid, and if I can do all of this having slept at least 5 hours.

Last night I made the decision to not put Norah in the nursery. After a busy day of ministry, I decided to hold her during Worship. After Worship I took her out to feed her, then instead of checking her into the Nursery, intentionally held her in the foyer while Pastor Frank wrapped up his sermon. While I sat on the couch out there, I talked to Norah and got some big smiles. She gave me a couple of little coos, as if she was engaging me in conversation. That little bit of alone time with her was something I stopped and consciously chose to do, and am so glad I did: It refreshed my mama's heart.

I know that most of you Mom's, if you work, have much different jobs than I do. Or maybe you stay at home with your kids. Either way, you are busy. Remember to let yourself stop and catch your breath, and enjoy the things around you. Even if the thing you stop to enjoy is the very thing that keeps you super busy!