The Weary Mom, Doing Soul Work

I remember those days with two small children, the days that were monotonous and chore-filled and nerve-wracking and overwhelming.

Not that I wasn't grateful....I was exactly what I'd wanted to be for years....a stay-at-home mom with little ones to love and nurture.

But there were - and certainly still are - days when it's just plain hard.

We are doing soul work, training a mind, disciplining a will, shaping a soul, while seeing our own weaknesses and shortcomings exposed for what they are.

Night comes and we're physically and mentally exhausted.

We must remember that, most often, the reward is not now.

It's not even when those little ones are outwardly conforming and obedient - though that's certainly a temporary relief and respite.

Then we enter more into the heart work, the gentle teaching and imparting of truths that their developing minds can embrace. 

God gives us the grace.  He sees our failures and triumphs, hears each mumbled prayer for wisdom, gives us the privilege of showing His love to these, His precious gifts.

I won't tell you that this season passes quickly, because there are days that it seems it will never end.  But when you change one more diaper, wipe one more runny nose, clean up one more spill, deal with one more temper tantrum - hold on and pray and know that you are doing work with eternal rewards.