The other day I was looking through baby photos of my son and reminiscing of simpler times. Simpler times? I laughed. Simpler times. When was it ever simpler times? I giggled. I started thinking back to his infant years as I sat and nursed him exhausted and wishing I could just clean the house and get the laundry done without interruption. At that moment, I longed for him to be older so I could have a simpler time of parenting. I now know that there is no simpler time to parenting. He is now a preteen and it hasn’t gotten any easier in parenting. How often we long for something “better,” when in reality we need to be thankful for what we have now. Yes, evening during those frustrating times as a parent. One of the best pieces of advice my mother gave me after I had my son was this, “Remember each day is a blessing no matter if it is a good day or bad, he is a blessing.” Yes, Mom, you were right. Each day is a blessing. Simpler time? No, nothing is simple but this–each day is a blessing. The following list is not mine. The author is unknown, but it applies to our topic.
- Early wake-ups = Children to love
- House to clean = Safe place to live
- Laundry = Clothes to wear
- Dishes to wash = Food to eat
- Crumbs under the table = Family time at the table together
- Grocery shopping = Provisions for us
- Toilets to clean = Indoor plumbing
- Noise, Noise, Noise = People in my life
- Endless questions = Inquisitive little minds–self-thinkers
- Sore and tired in bed at night = Being alive another day
Let me encourage you and myself to keep going. Be thankful for whatever stage you are at with parenting.
