They ARE My Life

I've been remembering an incident lately, and been meaning to write about it but haven't gotten it done. This morning I read this:u www.emilywierenga.com/mother-feels-life-interrupted/ and couldn't believe how nearly she took the words out of my mouth!

It happened way back, when I was a mother of 2 (yeah, waaay back! :) ) I had been married maybe 3 1/2 years and my life was pretty much taken up with dishes and dirty laundry and diapers for two and naps and discipline and breastfeeding and reading "The Saggy Baggy Elephant" for the 23rd time! One day I was at my parents house and my dad was watching me be a mom. He suddenly asked me, "What in the world is it like to be a mom?" My mom looked at him strangely, like duh, you're a dad! And we were both like no, it's not the same to become a dad. Before you're a dad you go to work every day and after you're a dad you go to work every day. Before you're a mom you pretty much do what you want every day and after you're a mom you pretty much do what your children want every day! (Granted, it's not quite that simplistic, but you get the point.)

So, what in the world is it like? Well, I had just had this epiphany of sorts not long before my dad asked that question, so I told him: "One day recently I was feeling frustrated with all these "interruptions" that were "ruining my life". I couldn't do the things I used to enjoy anymore - no volleyball, no leisurely shopping, no late nights reading.... Then suddenly it hit me! They aren't ruining my life, they ARE my life!"

I've forgotten that fact many times in the years since, forget it daily, it seems! Most of the time I'm scurrying along with My life, My agenda, the things I want to get done, wish I could do. How would it look if I would really embrace the fact that the little voices interrupting my phone calls, my writing, my list of "to do's", are really My Life, and My Agenda is the interruption, instead of the other way around?

I have a feeling things would look a lot different around here. There would undoubtedly be a lot more patience and love and a lot less sighs and sharp words!