Dear Mama, Enjoy This Season

Sometimes life as a mama is just hard. Sometimes you feel completely drained. Sometimes you feel like you have lost all sense of what makes you, you. Sometimes you just want to quit. Sometimes you just want to move on from this phase of life and get back to your life as it once was.

For me, it is a real struggle to try not to do it all. I have four young kids. I work as a personal trainer for about 12 hours a week. I work at home for about 12 hours a week. And...I have a serious perfectionist problem. These kids are dragging me down, aren't they? Won’t life be better when these kids grow up a bit?

Whether you work at home, work as being a mom 24/7, work outside the home, or do a combination of all of these, I know you have these same feelings too.

What is a mama to do when her tank is empty and she is not finding joy or fulfillment in the here and now? I am writing this letter to myself and to all mamas who need a little encouragement and uplifting today. Hopefully, the next time you feel ready to give up, this letter can give you some of the encouragement you need to keep going!

Dear Mama,

Enjoy this season! Yes, I said enjoy. That means you can find joy in the crazy.

I know your house is endlessly dirty. Your children are driving each other and you crazy. There are dirty cloth diapers stacked up next to the phone. Your daughter may or may not have peed in a cup and drank it. The baby just spit up all over your shirt and pants for the 7th time this morning. Healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner must be made every day. There are weeds taking over your rock beds and garden. You eat a half tray of cookies in a sitting. Laundry is piling up. You forgot to send out a Fathers Day card to your father-in-law. The romance in your marriage is practically non-existent. 

Yes, the work seems never ending. The thanks are mostly non-existent. It is dirty work. It is taxing mentally and emotionally. But this work you are doing is impactful. In a BIG way. Let that sink in for a moment. 

Not only does each word you say affect your children, but each action you show them means even more! 

When you take that deep breath before yelling out all your frustrations, you are teaching them that they can use self-control to calm down too. 

When you make healthy food choices and teach them about the importance of taking care of their bodies, you are helping them establish healthy routines they can use for the rest of their lives. 

When you dance and praise God with your voice, you are letting your light shine and reminding them of their Savior.

When you take the time to look them in the eyes and listen to each word they want to tell you, you are helping them feel comfortable and confident about sharing what is on their mind and heart.

When your eyes light up each time they walk into the room, you are showing them they matter.

When you greet your husband with a kiss, hold your tongue from nagging and show him respect, you are teaching them how to treat their loved ones.

Not only are you serving and impacting these precious gifts each and every day, each and every hour, they are blessing and impacting you. This season of life is short, it is challenging, and it is rewarding.

Those rosy, chunky cheeks will not last forever. Snuggling and giggling about silly little things needs to be treasured. Their wonderment over the simple things in life will be gone before you know it.

So, dear Mama, enjoy this season. Enjoy the times when your children smile lovingly up at you. Enjoy the cooing and giggling from their little mouths. Enjoy the hugs and slobbery kisses. Enjoy the privilege you have to help shape and mold them while they are young. Enjoy the way you are growing in patience, love, and forgiveness. Enjoy the messy faces, messy hands, and cleaning up their messy diapers. Enjoy being needed. Enjoy all their voices shouting, screaming, crying, because all too soon your house will be quiet. Enjoy the chaos and crazy, because inside of all that are your most precious gifts. 

Never forget the words to a favorite song, Where I am Right Now by Jared Anderson

God, Your plan is the best
But my heart is a mess
I’m wondering why You have me here
I’m so ready to be moving on
In my head I’m already gone
But Your voice is crystal clear

I am called to be where I am right now
In the middle of the storm but I have no doubt
You are here with me, You are here with me
And I won’t give in or second guess
I’m trusting You with every step
Father, You are here with me
Where I am right now, where I am right now, where I am right now
Where I am right now, where I am right now, where I am right now

I don’t want to spend a day looking 100 ways
Lord, make me single-minded
Come and be my one desire
And even if my world’s on fire
Make me undivided

And the enemy tells that lie
That I’m missing out on a better life
You know where I need to be
I am Yours and You are mine
You can move me anytime
I’m resting in Your perfect peace
Where I am right now
Where I am right now

© 2014 Integrity Worship Music / Cleveland Boy Music / Meaux Hits & Red Soda Pop (ASCAP)

Go, mama! Get back to loving those little ones!



For more thoughtful reading, check out The Comparing Game and Do You Love Your Kids More Than Your Husband?