Loving the little years
I want to recommend Rachel Jankovic's little book "loving the little years" (subtitle- motherhood in the trenches) to you moms of little ones out there.
It is in turn funny, wise, deeply challenging, instructive and encouraging. It's a short little book with bite sized (blog entry sized) chapters - so a quick read, which is perfect for moms of little ones. But it is not short in impact!
Last week I was deeply encouraged to read her comments on how, while it seems we are getting nowhere in the day to day task of parenting, the long work of self-sacrifice is doing good in our character. She asked: "think about some of the things that used to irritate you as a single person. Are you howling with laughter yet at how insignificant they seem to you now?"
Two days later I listened to a friend complain about having to do all the dishes for their family Christmas dinner. "It took us like... Nearly HALF AN HOUR to finish!", she said. And in that moment I remembered Rachel's little sentence and I (internally) howled with laughter. Yes, that really did used to annoy me. But these days I spend half an hour three times a day cleaning up after other people's meals. And I prepare them too. And count it all joy.
This day to day grind of parenting is tough, SO tough; but so significant. It is My job to know my kids, play with them, shape them, teach them to love well and live well, to pray for them, to shape their characters... Oh, and keep them fed and clothed too. A big job. And so I could use a little encouragement.
If you need a little encouragement, can I direct you to Rachel's little book?
(P.s. she blogs too at feminagirls.com and at desiringgod.org... Look her up)
It is in turn funny, wise, deeply challenging, instructive and encouraging. It's a short little book with bite sized (blog entry sized) chapters - so a quick read, which is perfect for moms of little ones. But it is not short in impact!
Last week I was deeply encouraged to read her comments on how, while it seems we are getting nowhere in the day to day task of parenting, the long work of self-sacrifice is doing good in our character. She asked: "think about some of the things that used to irritate you as a single person. Are you howling with laughter yet at how insignificant they seem to you now?"
Two days later I listened to a friend complain about having to do all the dishes for their family Christmas dinner. "It took us like... Nearly HALF AN HOUR to finish!", she said. And in that moment I remembered Rachel's little sentence and I (internally) howled with laughter. Yes, that really did used to annoy me. But these days I spend half an hour three times a day cleaning up after other people's meals. And I prepare them too. And count it all joy.
This day to day grind of parenting is tough, SO tough; but so significant. It is My job to know my kids, play with them, shape them, teach them to love well and live well, to pray for them, to shape their characters... Oh, and keep them fed and clothed too. A big job. And so I could use a little encouragement.
If you need a little encouragement, can I direct you to Rachel's little book?
(P.s. she blogs too at feminagirls.com and at desiringgod.org... Look her up)
posted by Bronwyn at 8:02 pm
1 Comments:
Thanks for keeping up with your blogging; I love the little peeps into your life. And yes, it's so hard. I'm sure you do count it all joy - I love my job and know it is significant and good but it's hard to count it all joy! But I persevere, and hope I can get my attitude closer to right by the time they grow up! And WHAT a busy and eventful year you have had! Miss you xxx
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