I'm a Mom

Last night was one of those nights.

Teyla, bless her little stuffed-up nose, has come down with a cold. (Her first cold. I must remember to take a picture for the scrapbook.) (Yes, that was a joke.) She woke up every 90 minutes or so, all snuffles and snot and gasps for air.

I used the booger sucker at one point, which was an absolute delight. I think I missed Booger Sucker 101 in the new parents class, because I never seem to get much with those things. My yield is not worth the effort involved.

Plus, every time I stumbled back to bed, I had to figure out a new way to lay so I didn't twist my wrists. The carpal tunnel I developed during the end of the pregnancy hasn’t gone away yet. In fact, it’s getting worse. On a normal night, my tingling hands wake me up a lot more than Teyla.

All that to say – I’m tired today. I’d love sneak in a nap, although I doubt that’s going to happen. I should be grumpy and snappy and pouty.

But, miracle of miracles, I’m not.

First and foremost, I think that’s the grace of God. The lessons He’s teaching me right now make it darn near impossible to throw a decent pity party.

But I also think it’s because I’m still in love with this role of motherhood. Even on the worst days – or the worst nights, as the case may be -- I’m incredibly humbled to have this calling.

I came across this song yesterday, thanks to Amy’s Humble Musings. It’s a comical take on all the grief mothers put up with. But in the end? It just made me thankful.



Yes, my first occupation does sound like a sweet vacation at times. When the kids are fighting, and the baby is crying, and I haven’t slept more than six hours in the last two nights, and I really, really just want to chill at Starbuck’s for the afternoon, producing the 5 o’clock news during sweeps month sounds like a cake walk.

But I’m rational enough to know that’s just a momentary emotion.

Lord, thank you for making me a Mom. And give me the strength to keep going today. There’s no way I could do this without You.

(For a more eloquent and less sleep-deprived take on parenthood, check out John Piper’s thoughts today. Beautiful and meaty.)