Monday, November 5, 2007

First Things First

It seems simple enough. You have to put on your socks before you put on your shoes (unless you're wearing flip-flops), you should put the toothpaste on the toothbrush before you brush your teeth. But, what do you do when the baby is starving, you've run out of counter space for dirty dishes, and the seven-year-old needs help with her math work? Well, I suppose you could move math to the kitchen, nurse the baby while standing and doing the dishes with one hand. But, it would be right at that moment that the toddler walks in with a bloody nose dripping everywhere. Things just aren't so cut and dry for a Mama with many little ones. The needs are constant, and often urgent.

It is in these moments that I will cry out to the Lord, "you told me that your yoke is easy and your burden is light, so what exactly is the burden that I am to bear right now?" With that, I can calmly set down the baby who has been fed enough to last another five minutes, clean up the toddler, and sit back down with my infant. As she nurses, the seven-year-old may sit near us and she and I can go over her math. The dishes have no soul, so they can wait. There's a good rule for you; if it doesn't have a soul, it can wait for those who do. Just because his burden is easy doesn't mean that we can relax, but we can rest in knowing that no matter how constant the needs are, He is by our side bearing them with us.

6 comments:

  1. Kendra,
    I love that: "If it doesn't have a soul, it can wait." Great advice.

    But what to do when they all need you at once? :)
    Jokingly say: "There is only one mommy!" It lightens the mood and makes them laugh, and you as well. Little ways He makes the burden light.

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  2. This was a wonderfu post, and a great reminder to prioritze our children over tasks.

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  3. ahhh. thank you my sister in Christ! i needed to hear that today- i think i had the same morning that you wrote about! no bloody nose, but feverish baby instead. Andrea is right, there is only one mommy!! i am so thankful that the one mommy is me. praying for you in the midst of daily life (which looks a lot like mine!) meatballs don't have a soul, but babies are napping so now i can cook!

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  4. I admire you Kendra! You are doing a great job!

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  5. ohh how lovely...children are more important arn't they...thank you for this...
    ~simply stork~

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  6. I love how reading your blog so often "fixes" my perspective when it is off. Thanks for being used by the Lord in this way!
    Katie

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