Learning as I Go

Yesterday morning, I was awakened by a strange sound followed by crying. I ventured into the boys' room to find a little boy and his bed covered in vomit. This was the start of 24 hours of stomach bug yuckiness which struck 2 boys and a Mommy (including an early school pick-up, vomiting inside a place of business and mistakenly giving the boys Milk of Magnesia instead of Pepto Bismal).

I had things to do on Wednesday--a list of errands, an appointment and a meeting. Obviously, those plans were thrown out the window and it became a rather low key day. I realized at one point in the day when "Mommy!" was coming out of three mouths simultaneously and I was feeling puny myself that although being so "needed" can be exhausting, it is also a blessing. Each day they need me a little less. For this season this is my purpose. I can too often respond out of frustration and resentment. Yesterday, God gave me perspective.

To everything there is a season. My purpose in this season? Snuggles. Cuddles. Kisses. Crawling around my house playing Mommy cat/lion/dog. Lovingly serving Gatorade over ice. Cleaning disgusting messes. (and occasionally singing James Brown before 6am!)

There is nothing AT ALL glamorous about these tasks...but is there purpose? Definitely. Is there reward? Absolutely.

I am constantly struggling to balance my outside-the-home ministry with my inside-the-home ministry. After a GREAT deal of prayer, I truly feel called to both. I am motivated by a profound sense of responsibility. But, if I learned anything yesterday it is this: My family will always be my greatest responsibility. There has never been any question about that. When that primary responsibility requires a couple of days of "checking out" of everything else to keep my top priority running smoothly it simply WILL NOT cause the world to come to a screeching halt.
I don't owe anyone an apology. It is what it is.

A simple, obvious lesson to most--a profound reminder to me.