I remember eleven years ago when I first became a parent feeling so excited and confident. Now three kids and eleven years later, I still have moments of excitement and confidence, but a lot of days I feel exhausted and worn down. I know parenthood is a little different in our family because of all the special needs, however, talking to women around me I think a lot of parents feel exhausted, worn down, and overwhelmed, not always, but a good portion of time. Looking back I’m trying to pinpoint when exactly excitement became exhaustion and what I could have done or do differently. I think I raced into the experience with so much zeal, wanting to wrap myself up into being a mom. I couldn’t wait to be a mom and I was so excited to finally have children that I raced through the experience like it could end at any moment. Now I realize it is not a sprint, but a long distance race requiring a lot of endurance. I need to pace myself and enjoy the moment for today instead of racing through looking at tomorrow. This is the advice I would give to myself, eleven years ago, or any new mother today: You most likely have many years ahead of you, slow down, enjoy this time, and give yourself the rest and recreation you need, as well. After many years of racing through life, I’m trying to add that rest and fun into my schedule.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9
Originally posted April 2011
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