Who hasn’t had the day where everything feels like it’s
crashing in on you? It seems nothing goes right and the more you try to do, the
less actually gets accomplished. Sometimes I think this is a very feminine
reality. Not that men don’t have bad days, but women might feel it more deeply.
Or perhaps it’s the deep emotions that we feel that can allow us to get
overwhelmed. We try to manage family, children, church activities, social groups,
our job and then we feel awful when something doesn’t go right.
My dad used to describe my mother as a juggler. She just
could keep throwing those balls up in the air and as long as there was a rhythm
to it all, it just kept going. Yet, if we are juggling and get pushed to the
side, everything falls.
Some women would argue that this is why life was better “in
the old days” when women knew what was expected of them. They took care of the
children and the home and that was that. Now, we enjoy doing all kinds of
things! I’d go crazy if I couldn’t do all other things, but I absolutely love
being a wife and mother too.
The temptation – at least for me – is to expect that as
I perform the juggling feat in my own life, that if I stumble at all or drop a
ball, I’m a failure. That feeling of failing even if it is just in one area
then casts a shadow over every other thing I’m doing. I’m tempted to doubt
myself, doubt my ability. If I make a mistake at work or don’t get back to a
friend with what I had promised to do, my motherhood, my womanhood itself seems
shaken.
I was reading “Abandonment to Divine Providence” this
morning. One of the main points so far is that God is present in everything we
are doing. No matter how mundane or ordinary, He is there – and we can see His
presence if we but look for it! And what’s more, as long as we are doing His
will, then we can find peace in our hearts.
My take away? Be at peace! Don’t try to do it ALL. Just do
all that you want (or feel called?) to do. Some things we can’t help, because
they are part of the vocation we chose. For mothers, taking care of messes, even changing diapers is part of motherhood and so God is there - and when we care for our
children, we can be at peace. For women who work (whether mothers or single),
you can find God there too. You can align yourself to His will in your life
wherever you are! And when you do, when you give it over to God, then mistakes
may happen but we can be at peace that He is taking care of us.
Seriously, you are wonderful! You are doing an amazing job!
Our emotions can guide us to a deep love but they can also confuse us and knock
us over. When we adhere to God, the shadows become light. In Isaiah chapters 52
and 58, he says God is our “rear guard” and God will "guard us from behind." In
other words, be at peace, God’s got your back. ;-)
Yours,
Theresa
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