Thursday, September 17, 2009

Mundanely Monotonous

I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning. I'm not a morning person so I don't normally leap out of bed but today I was really dragging. Some days I have a hard time getting ready to get up and face another 18 hours of screaming, cleaning up messes, laundry, attitude problems and fighting. The same thing, day after day, month after month. Reading the same books, putting away the same toys.

Mike stayed home a little longer so I could go jogging and he told me to "come back happy". It's not that I'm not happy, I'm just bored (but busy) and tired of the mundane job of motherhood. I was reading about someone going back to work and how nice it was for them to read emails in peace. I was jealous. Until I talked to my friend who is sick of always having to go to work.

Maybe it's not just motherhood, it might just be life. There are times in life that are trying. I feel guilty whenever I feel this way because I am totally blessed to have a beautiful, healthy family. But I really didn't think a 20 minute run would make me happy.

While I was running a part of a verse came to my mind about "the joy set before Him." I looked it up when I got home and it's Hebrews 12:1-3.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
There are certainly a lot more difficult and painful trials I could go through. But to get through this, I can't just look forward to the joy of naptime, bedtime or time alone. I have to focus on the joy I have in Christ. Jesus died and rose again to bring glory to God and salvation to all.

I was encouraged through this verse to continue to press ahead with my eyes fixed on Jesus, whether the days are happy and fun or boring and mundane I can't lose heart. May you also be encouraged to run with perseverance in the days and jobs that are in your life.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Just remember how blessed we are even to be able to stay home with our children. I ran into a cashier the other day who had a 5 week old baby boy and had to be back at work already. We get to have every first smile, tooth, crawl, word. It's hard some days, but our job is the most important one out there.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much Michelle! It was a timely word.
Sarah J.

Peter and Nancy said...

A mom with grown kids once told me wistfully, "You're in a season with long days, but short years." I always try to remember that when I'm in the middle of a stretch like you're having today. I always have trouble in January and February . . . those are the months when I most need to read these verses.
-- Nancy

Wayne Pederson said...

Hebrews 12:1 I used at Anna's wedding. Marriage is a marathon, not a sprint. Not happily ever after. When you want to quit, commitment and perseverence keeps you going. Throw off extra weight (things that weigh you down like too many commitment) and sin that prevents progress (pride, selfishness, lust, materialism) focus on crossing the finish line. On the way, there are sunsets, downhill paths, fluffy snow, blue sky. So run with perseverence!