I’m away to the woods and the lakes of northern Michigan this week. And delighted to share this guest post from Kristen of Little House Joy. She perfectly describes a day in my life. And yours too, maybe.
The lady in the restroom at church chuckled and said, “So much for privacy!” when she saw my youngest crawling under the red door to be closer to me while I attempted to have thirty uninterrupted seconds to take care of business.
That was right after changing him back into pull-ups after a tiny accident from his class and the 3-year-old insisted that he should be in the stall with us leaving me one measly square foot, in a squatting position, to change the youngest, wrap up the dirty underwear into a giant wad of toilet paper and toss it into my purse, prop him up on the potty only to hear him bellow, “BUT I DON’T NEED TO STINKY, MOMMY!”
And I know I didn’t have the energy required to pull myself up. And I found myself envious of the lady next door in black sandals who was as still as a statue. And alone.
And a few months ago, I might have waited for an empty restroom before bursting out of our stall like 3 unleashed monkeys. But, I walked out as their mama, not sure if my skirt was even pulled all the way down. Or if toilet paper trailed behind me. Content still.
Because ’tis the season for mothering little one’s. And millions of strong mothers have the t-shirt.
The restroom was full of chatty women. But the one who spoke, she must have remembered the feel and the stride of the shoes and the walk that is currently mine. She had a moment. I knew my children heard her say it. “So much for privacy!” That expression meant only to make me laugh, and to reflect the activity of children, not to belittle them.
But my-6-year-old sponge of a daughter who doesn’t miss anything…the one who searches for deeper meaning in phrases thrown about, she heard her and watched her. This dark-headed, lovely, fifty-something lady who surely left a less-than favorable impact on her when she jeered her innocent comment. So I replied,
“Yes, but I know I’ll miss their company one day…even in the bathroom…chuckle, chuckle.” Ya’ll know, ladies-room style!
And the conversation didn’t end, as I thought it might. She went on…
“Well, there is something good in every era. My last one is going into ninth grade, and you know what? I have found I really like my quiet.”
Again, chuckle chuckle.
And I really couldn’t relate. She’s in a different forest, one I’ve yet to venture. Mine is so thick with timber and grass and briars and massive undergrowth that is a cosmos all its own. Quiet happens, but not enough for me to speak of it as a possessive noun. Quiet is rare. Quiet isn’t always productivity, but a consistent state of comatose at 7:30 pm. Quiet is often hurried…because I don’t know how long I have.
But this.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! ~Psalm 27:14
And all the weary momma’s who have no privacy in the ladies room sing, HALLELUJAH! He’s going to strengthen our hearts. We might live in the jungle, weak and tired and buried in undergrowth, and squashed between 4 dark walls, a toilet, and a kid or 2, but if we wait…HE’S REALLY GOING TO STRENGTHEN OUR HEARTS! There’s water in the jungle, there’s beauty even! And furthermore, there’s a picturesque orchard ahead that will nourish us for the next wilderness we’re sure to encounter.
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31
In college, this was my life verse. It was a season of waiting when I was unsure what He wanted for my life. Unsure of colleges and vocations and when to marry the love of my life. Three children and a decade plus a few years later, it has new meaning. I’m drawn to the simile of the eagle and the runner and the promise that my strength is reborn when I wait. (Even in the jungle and the red stall).
So much for privacy (for now!) And I count it all joy!
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope… You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ~Psalm 16:7-9, 11
Yes! I give thanks for this. Father, you are with me. You’re holding my hand…I promise I won’t let go.
Kristen is wife to a man who calls her lady and mama to 3, six and under. Monday thru Thursday, you might find one of them wiggling on her lap as she teaches piano lessons from her living room to community children. She tells the story of seemingly ordinary days with real life photos and fresh words that fill her heart at nap time. She cherishes childhood. She values home. She embraces life. And she celebrates them at www.littlehousedomestic.com, her joy place.
I have an age span of 14 down to 3. I cherish each moment with my 3 yr old, I really do miss each milestone that’s passed.
Thank God there’s grandchildren in the future! :-)
Wow, Esther (love your name)! 3-14!!! You really are a supermom! :) And what a blessing for you to see such a span of milestones simultaneously. A joy to “meet” you.
Oh my friends and I got into a discussion on a thread on facebook on just this sort of thing! One of the friends does not have children, and we were trying to explain why some moms announce when they are going to the restroom — in the desperate hope that they will be LEFT ALONE to use the bathroom by themselves for 30 seconds! Ha ha, this post was great.
My MIL and I have a joke that if you can’t find your kids, just pretend to get on the phone or use the bathroom. They will come out of everywhere then!
What a clever twist to use the idea of waiting, as in the restroom, and tie it in with waiting on the Lord for strength during the “Little years.” It was really was the encouragement I needed right now.
Glad you stopped by Lisa-Jo’s today! :)
Oh hi! We ALL need encouragement…and I’m so glad you found it here. Lisa-Jo’s blog is a well that never runs dry…and my visit was the sweetest! I love meeting new bloggers/readers. Blessings to you!!
That illusive privacy feels strange when we finally get a hold of it. With a 10 and five year old, I still get some “interruptions”, and find they are more welcome than not.
That life verse is one that gives me hope and strength an courage to keep soaring – even if it is a deliriously sleep-deprived soar. Ha.
I could relate. Oh, how I could.
“Deliriously sleep-deprived…” Doesn’t that just sum it all up? For mamas everywhere!! :) Ah, yes…I too am thankful for the “jewels” found in black and white between worn out leather. Can’t imagine motherhood without His word. Soooo nice to “meet” you!!
Your blog is always, always a breath of fresh air for this often weary and exhausted momma of littles. Thank you, Lisa Jo, for speaking our language. :)
I must confess I wished myself out of those un-private years, and now I long for the soft, squishy arms and legs of babies and toddlers again … If only I could find contentment in where I am like Paul did. My only fleeting chance at it might just be minutely gratitude today.
Lovely post. Thank you.
Hi Robyn! Isn’t contentment a hard thing! Yes, Paul truly was all about the journey. Your words and encouragement are a blessing. Hugs!
I struggle with feeling resentful sometimes of the duties expected and required of me as a mother. Sometimes, I just want peace and quiet and time to do my own thing. Including going to the bathroom. My almost four year old will leave me be for about ten seconds and then I hear, “Mommy, you’re tinkling just like me!” Or something similar. I needed this post today. Thank you. I need to rest….and remember that these times of Audrey’s innocence and childhood will pass soon.
Sounds like you have a sweetie pie! Sounds like she loves her mama. Rest………………….
Bless you!
Well handled, Mom! Your six year old and my five year old would be great friends. It seems they are very much alike. When my two year old calls for me for the fourth time during the night as we are fighting the potty-training-at-night-time war together, I tell myself there are days coming all too soon when I will long for that sweet little voice to call me in the night. YES, we celebrate the lack of privacy, the lack of sleep, the lack of quiet because we celebrate the precious souls we have the privilege to call our children. Thanks for the post!
I have two boys who are 15 and 17. They still stand outside the bathroom door at home and talk to me through it. If I am at home alone and do not close the door all the way to the “click” our 85 lb Greater Swiss Mountain Dog nudges the door open to make sure I’m there. I don’t believe that it matters how old or young our children and other family members are, once we take the step of becoming a family our time is mingled with their time and isn’t distinguishable any longer. I am fortunate to have some hours in the evening when the boys and my husband aren’t physically present but they are certainly on my mind and cemented deeply into my heart. Even alone time is filled with those special ones that God gave me as the best gift a girl could ever get. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Keep the faith those of you who have little ones. The years will speed by and sonner than you can imagine you will be wondering when they will be home so that you can have a little chat or take a walk together or just “be” in the same room. Thanking God every minute of a chaotic day will truly bring the joy that I know you are looking for in your life with your lovlies. Blessings!
I love this, Kristen! And as mama of 3 boys, four years and under, I can most definitely relate! Especially to this: “Quiet is rare. Quiet isn’t always productivity, but a consistent state of comatose at 7:30 pm. Quiet is often hurried…because I don’t know how long I have. ” But thank you for the encouragement to trust that God is in those rare quiet moments and will use them (and all the jungle chaos if I let him) to strengthen and encourage my heart. Blessings to you on the journey!
Love this post! As a mom of 5, almost 14 down to 2, I can totally relate to your bathroom experience. Yet, I am also seeing glimpses of what it will be like when they are all grown the older my kids get. I say to embrace the “so much for privacy” times you are experiencing because I’m not so sure I will enjoy the quiet when it finally happens. Even though there are frustrating times, I know I am going to miss this someday. :)