Hey Mama,

It’s so loud. It’s messy. You clean and then turn around—it’s a disaster again. It’s monotonous. Over and over the diapers. The worksheets. The drills. The books. Phonics never ends. Well, it does, but then we’re into chapter books. Again and again, “Sam I am.” “Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.” Ongoing.

There’s cereal ground into the carpet again. No time for a shower. How? Who will watch them? Fingers under the bathroom door.

Fast forward a few years: If they are no longer trampling over your feet, they’re doing wheelies on your heart (and mind). No longer monotonous, life becomes an unknown from day to day. What…is…next…with…this…kid? Time goes fast, yet you get some hard lessons along the way. Better hope relationship is strong; better realize parenting is not for the faint of heart. Snot on your shirt and two-year-old tantrums are nothing; could we just go back there for a while? Please, can we just do sticky high chairs and gum stuck on the wall again?

Fast forward again: God has a way of fixing things. Grace rules. Love always wins. Christ is glorified. All that work…and, oh, all the pain. It was worth it. They get it! They get it! Tears again, but the joyful kind. The cloud lifts. You exhale.

Fast forward one more time: You’re not in charge anymore—they are. You prayed hard. You planted the seeds. You watered them with your tears. He came in and did the rest. They did not depart from it! Train them up, He said. You didn’t question it; why doubt the Word of the King of kings? You just did it. And His Word did not return void. Tears still come, but they’re wiped away by a caring daughter who is devoted to her elderly Mama, the one who loved her no matter what. The one who stood FIRM on the path, always bringing her back to Truth. The one your daughter now helps along the path, in your sunset years. Your steps held up by your loving son. He won’t leave you. Fiercely, you’re his.

So rest. As you stare helplessly at the mess, young Mama, at the 6th poopy diaper of the day (what is wrong with this kid?!), at the 9-year-old’s bold little bad attitude-face, or at the kitchen sink (is there even a sink under all that?)…rest in it. It’ll flash past so fast your head will spin. And know that this life is a series of seasons, some more joyful than others. Some intensely wearying. It’s not perfect, and there are no formulas. No guarantees. But there is HOPE. And there is LIFE. And there is PROMISE. So keep walking, knowing that your Heavenly Father has all this STUFF in His hand, shaping order out of the chaos. Guess what, Mama: nothing can snatch His plans away that He has for you. Ever!

As for now, His hand is on your head. But you knew that, Faithful Mama. Peace be with you today.

-gena