#vidahappens

I was faced with a challenge last night.  Me and my husband switch off “night shift” to ensure at least one of us is rested for the following day to handle Tori and work from home duties.  Well, last night, my daughter (who is almost four months) was very unhappy for whatever reason.  I’d given her to her dad so that I could do my “self-care” routine and wind down from a full day of “Mommy-ing” and work.  After finishing the first thing on my list, I heard her crying.  After a few minutes of going back and forth in my head about whether I should run to her and see what was wrong, I decided to just go and peek my head in (assess the situation from afar).  As many of you know (those who are parents), babies often cry for any number of reasons.  Many of which, you can’t necessarily “solve”; only comfort them and hope they calm down.  This instance was a “wait and see” type moment.  She’d been fed, had a clean diaper and was in no obvious pain or discomfort (beyond the crying).  While I assessed from afar, or what I thought was afar, I found myself talking to her and holding her hand.  Then, after holding her in my arms for a few moments and doing what mommy’s do, she quieted down and snuggled up against my chest.  Great…PEACE & QUIET. 

But there was still one problem… Mommy, who had been mommy all day, was holding her … and there was a chance that once Mommy gave her back to Daddy, the PEACE & QUIET would cease.  So, I did what I always do … I kept her in my arms.  We played and talked for a while and then I gave her a bottle and she settled to sleep.  Two hours after my initial calming.  After giving her Daddy a very sleep baby (praise God!), I began to think about how much I’d done for the day and it hit me that I was running all day.  Cooking.  Cleaning.  Mommy-ing.  ALL. OF. THE. THINGS.  My body was tired.  My brain was fried.  And yet, there was still more to be done (my bed was covered in freshly washed clothes and I hadn’t finished my “self-care” routine).

One question came to the forefront of my mind: Why do I have to do it?  I went through a slew of answers … my husband is capable of doing all of those things, but … Mommy is still the one to do them.  Why?  Because I, Mommy, am graced for this and equipped to handle all of the things.

DISCLAIMER: My husband is a very active participant in all of the things, but as with everything in life, we all operate best in our designated areas.

The real and honest conclusion that I came to is that God created me with a purpose and part of that purpose is to be Justice’s wife, as well as Ryan and Victoria’s mom.  Is that all of my purpose?  Absolutely not.  But I am EQUIPPED and GRACED to handle all of the things that come with those honorable titles.  So, therefore, I will take joy in doing all of the things.  It is truly a pleasure now that I understand the purpose in it.

So… I said all of that to say … whatever you’re currently frustrated in and over dealing with, wondering why YOU of all people have to do it, take a look at the true purpose of it.  Are YOU destined and designed for this very thing?  Or are you forcing a square peg into a round hole?  If that thing is truly attached to you to fulfill (even a portion) of God’s purpose, then take pleasure in the process and enjoy the growth.  It will be worth it in the end.  But…  If it’s not yours to truly handle, let it go and allow the appointed person to handle it.  Don’t stress or stretch yourself more than necessary!