What Do You Do All Day?

“What do you do all day?”  they ask.
And you think, well, I don’t do a lot.  I don’t do my hair or makeup. I don’t write proposals or plans. I don’t do big projects. I don’t socialize much, drink martinis, or wear heels. I don’t take days off. I don’t sleep much. I don’t feel very important much of the time, actually.
I remember.
But, you do a lot. Please listen to me. You nurture and soothe. You nourish bodies, minds, and souls. You teach. You mold, shape, and create. You fold, clean, prepare, fix, and play. You whisper and comfort. You choose their needs over your wants and put their dreams over yours. You are so much more important than you feel.
Keep fighting, Mom. The work that feels worthless is worth more than you can imagine.  I promise you, one day, you’ll sleep more. Your house will be neater. You’ll have time to do different things – things that you want to do. But, keep doing what you’re doing.  The days are long, but the years are short. You’ve heard it before and don’t believe it.
Trust me.
Choose the stuff that matters. Paint, build forts, play with them, build snowmen, talk about Jesus, study clouds, read lots and lots of books. Let them sit on your lap, help you stir dough and wash dishes. Carry and hold them. Pick flowers. Drink hot chocolate.  Don’t stress over the toys. Thank God for them – the toys and your children. Praise Him for life that bursts and explodes. This is the stuff they’ll remember. Not the yelling or the mess.
Here’s the deal:  When you’re sitting where I am, you’ll look back on the years you’re living right now, and you won’t see mess; you’ll see mercy. You will see that it was worth the tears and toil. The tough years of sleeplessness and feelings of worthlessness morph so quickly into years of amazing grace because you’ll see the fruit of your labor. It’s overwhelming because all of a sudden, they’re real people making good decisions, being kind, and, by the grace of God, doing pretty impressive things. And, your heart will be so full.
You’re doing amazingly important, holy work.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Word of the Day:  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)
Prayer: Father, thank You for grace. Thank You for pouring radiant mercy into our lives each day. Grant us discernment and help us choose wisely. Give us discerning, wise eyes. Fill us with confidence in who we are because of Who You are. And strengthen our hands for the work. Thank You for being You. You love us and our children so much more than we could ever imagine. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Author:  M.D. Bromson

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