Hi, I’m a stay-at-home mom.
And why when asked what I do, my voice quiets as I state I am a stay-at-home mom? As if this job title is not sufficient or worthy of note. Who me? Yeah, just a stay-at-home mom, trying to figure it out. I find myself cringing when I fill out a doctor’s paperwork or any forms that ask what my “occupation” is. Or better yet they ask if I’m employed or unemployed. I type (or write) full-time employed, working overtime all the time. End of the year bonus? I take it in belly laughs and a dinner out.
You might ask what does a stay-at-home mom do all day long.
I often wonder how I get from the first infant cry of the morning to the endless toddler kisses and lengthening bed time routine at the end of the day. Sometimes my days seem pointless and exhausting (on my worst days) or like an obstacle to pursuing my “real” passion or like a last option alternative to something else, something better. Oftentimes frustration and disappointments rule my day. Unfortunately, I answer to these more than I look to my Heavenly Father, and then I feel guilty for that. Do you relate?
But when I think about actually changing “occupations,” both of my boys suddenly make me laugh until I can’t catch my breath or a sunny, blue-skied day calls us to join it outside to do a macaroni dance (my son’s favorite food group) or a beautiful moment unfolds before my very eyes that I might have missed if I were not present with my children.
My oldest gives me constant kisses all day long and the best bear hugs. He’s started asking, “How doing, mommy?” My 9-month-old lights up when I walk into his room after nap and when I make babbling noises into his neck. These beautiful boys bring joy and lessons to be learned all day long. How could I want another job?
And so in thinking about the “occupation” as a stay-at-home mom, here’s what the resume would include:
We are-
nap jugglers
peace keepers
snack connoisseurs
boo boo kissers
couch cuddlers
diaper changers
prayer warriors
doorwomen for the household
tush carriers
shoe horns
ball kickers
tower builders
truck racers
bug inspectors
tickle monsters
spectators of bike riders
distraction seekers
laugh creators
crumb collectors
coffee guzzlers
playground referees
book readers
meal planners
night owls and early risers
More than space holders, we do not absent-mindedly hold the pieces (or tiny humans) together, moving from one moment to the next, hoping something will grab our attention and ignite our hearts. Praising God, we grasp each moment to surrender the minutia and monotony to Him and allow Him to show us where the beauty lies in raising these growing and ever-changing human hearts. We set the mood of the home, the atmosphere for fostering kind and gentle little hearts and minds.
We can hold all of this weight ourselves, buckling under the pressure. Or we can turn to the One who actually has it all together and knows exactly how we get from point A to point B.
Trusting God with our tiny humans, we place the burden of character content on God’s shoulders. I aim to be a present stay-at-home mom, heeding the advice of other moms lamenting that “it all goes so fast,” and catching each moment by the reigns to bring it into the light. That’s the blessing of rejoicing and praising the Lord through each moment. In every moment there is an awakening of the soul to grow closer to God.
Knowing God holds us and our every day in His hands, our souls sing because we are not the forgotten that we sometimes believe to be. We are seen by a God who knows our hearts inside and out, and we don’t have to strive to have it all together. The Message version of Romans 12:3 states that, “…it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are or what we do for him.”
Prayer
Dearest Heavenly Father, I admit I sometimes long to rush to the end of this chapter to see what happens and yet I become fearful of time passing too quickly. Please forgive my unhealthy balance between fear and self-sufficiency. I pray that You would find me rejoicing all the day long, seeking You in each moment, allowing Your goodness and kindness to have my attention.
When fear grabs me, whisper to me that You are enough. When self-sufficient behaviors emerge, remind me that Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power is made perfect in my weaknesses. Father God, I pray to remember You are here with me, always loving me, and nothing formed against me shall prosper. I thank you for the gift of children, for your goodness in the day long, and I pray for the wisdom to raise them under Your leadership. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
