I love this quote from Elisabeth Elliot. I use the mantra "this job, not some other" when I am tired and disgruntled. This is where I am meant to be, nowhere else. This is the toilet I am meant to be scrubbing, not some other (I jest).
The work may seem endless, but it is ultimately for an endless, infinite God. That perspective helps me when I am helping ungrateful children and when I feel ungrateful myself.
I love my life. I begged God for this life. I truly believe that God used all of my pregnancy losses and delayed adoptions to make my desire for children grow. Perhaps I would have stopped after two children if they had come easily to me; if I had not had a chance to see how precious a gift motherhood is and how desperately I wanted it.
When I feel overwhelmed and tired and sorry for myself, I try to remember how much my heart ached when I saw mothers with children. When I had no children of my own, I knew something central was missing from my life.
And that was a gift. Because I can never wonder if there is a better life out there for me. I had it and I hated it. I cried out for the kids and the chaos and all the work that comes with it.
Be careful what you wish for.
(I jest again)
100% with you. I have one child, born when I was 41. I remember being joyful at 2am diaper changes because I finally had him to do it for. I thank G-d every day for my family.
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