A whimper breaks the silence and wakens you, again.
The laundry hamper spills over, again.
Hungry stomachs must be filled, again.
Crumbs litter the floor, again.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Day after day, the tasks of motherhood repeat themselves again, and again, and again. Thankless tasks abound, stuck in a perpetual cycle of repetition.
Cook, eat, wash—only to hear, “Mom, I’m hungry.”
Pick up, sweep the floor, walk away—only to hear the clamor of a thousand Duplo blocks being dumped.
Change the diaper, nurse the baby, fall back asleep—only to be awakened again.
Move the last load of laundry from washer to dryer—only to realize its bath time and by the time everyone is through the bath and into jammies the hamper is filled again.
Walk away after helping siblings settle a squabble over a toy—only to hear the voices again raised in selfishness and anger.
These days of motherhood can seem long, but each of us also realizes how quickly time is passing. We know in our hearts, even as we long for a change of pace, that the time is coming when the clamor of the Duplos won’t be heard and no one will be asking for a meal.
And in light of the days being long and the years being short, does it even matter? Does it matter that I work through one more squabble with the children? Does it matter that I put my heart into cooking one more meal? Does it matter that I sing the clean-up song and cajole the children into helping me pick up one more time? If this time is so short, why not just throw responsibility to the wind and seize the day.
It matters. The mundane matters.
For in the mundane, we are answering the call Jesus has placed on our lives.
Jesus called us to love our neighbors, and our family members are our closest neighbors.
Jesus called us to serve one as He served. (whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant.)
Jesus called us to make disciples.
Loving, serving, making disciples—all of those take doing the right thing, usually a mundane thing, over and over, again and again.
So dear mama, as you go through these long days of thankless tasks on repeat, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
This post is linked up with the Five Minute Friday Link-up Party! Hop over there for some more great posts all on the topic of “Again.”
Life is not all about
solving life’s vast riddle;
it has to do with mundane doubt,
and living in the middle.
If we’ve no love for the small,
how can we love the Great?
Was aspiration Adam’s fall,
to make neglect our fate?
Heaven’s streets are not of gold
as presents from the Saviour’s birth.
No, they’re precious, I am told
for each paving-stone’s of equal worth.
If we shun the grace before our eyes,
we’ll be blind to Glory in the skies.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/08/your-dying-spouse-656-remember-me-thus.html
Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem! I especially love the line about loving the small.
I’m an empty-nester now (but how vividly I remember those days you describe) but, even in these days, it is still true. The mundane matters (and it seems so much feels mundane!) The repeated everyday tasks are not only important but are part of my calling. And if doing those things – with the right spirit – is part of fulfilling that calling….then the mundane certainly does matter. Thanks for the reminder (and the always important attitude check!) 🙂
Have a great weekend!!
Yes, so much does feel mundane, and yes, they can be a part of our callings. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
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