I learned all over again this morning WHY June Cleaver and Aunt Bea always wore aprons around the house. I mean I remember them always having an apron on unless they were going out or had guests in and were finally sitting down to eat. For those of you who are younger by many years than I am, these women were icons in the television world as seen on Leave It To Beaver and Andy of Mayberry and streamed regularly into our lives during what was then rather limited viewing hours. (remember the Star Spangled Banner coming on at midnight followed by static signaling night owls needed to get to bed? No? Ok, you are way younger than me)
Last night I was tackling dishes and the drain was a little sluggish. I grabbed my bleach bottle which was handily standing nearby from the last time major colds had hit the home and I felt a need to soak things in soapy bleach water. I wanted to pour just a bit down the drain. Was I wearing my apron? NO I WAS NOT! Do I own any? Why YES, I do as a matter of fact. I just don't wear them all day long. They are there for when I cook Easter or any other holiday dinner and am still dressed up after church. I think I even have one or two that belonged to my grandma who was much better about using them being of the June Cleaver generation.
I was wearing a very favorite long black shirt and knew I was engaging in risky behavior laying my hand on that bleach bottle. Until this morning when I put said black shirt on again (umhmmm, I do rewear things the next day depending on how they were used the day before.. and of course jeans are reworn many times over before washing). I saw in the mirror what seemed to be a fleck of light colored lint on my shirt.
On closer inspection and repeated attempts to pick it off (my glasses were not on ok?) I discovered the dastardly truth. One teeny tiny splash of bleach had found a home on the f r o n t o f m y f a v o i t e b l a c k s h i r t ! Do you know how well bleach works when you don't want it to? It was an excellent example of the scripture "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow". I am so grateful that the blood Jesus shed for me does not leave a spot of sin behind in my life. That He made a way for me to be washed inside white as snow or now in this example white as bleach on a black shirt. Seems appropriate for this Easter season.
I have to tell you what I did though. I did not leave that spot on my favorite shirt to remind me of Jesus. I got out a black magic marker and colored it in...Hey creativity is from Him too..And it worked...
Today was a morning slammed into rather than gently eased into. Rather than prepared for the night before. Rather than cheerily breezed into. Oh I did have a few moments of
devo time in my couch corner but probably needed a whole spa worth of time in the Word and maybe even at a honest to goodnes spa place! My poor family..as mom's morning goes so is the tone for their day started...
However as I told Lydia yesterday I carry enough mommy guilt . I frequently must remember it isn't mine to carry. Most of it relates to the sheer humanity of being a mom and constant juggling of schedules, food, finances, emotional and physical well being of those of various ages from small to tall in my care. And there is a whole lot, as moms everywhere know, packed into each of those 5 categories being juggled. Let us not forget that some of us for various reasons also "work outside the home" in different capacities for differing amounts of time. I find that when I am interviewing women for an insurance quote I ask "Do you work outside the home also?" Just want to validate what is done at home and for family as WORK and worthy work at that.
Ah but I am getting off track in my thought process.
So by the time we had figured out who was taking what car where for all the places needed to be at by 8 am and after, by the time I had pulled together and packed hasty
lunches with what was on hand and today it was slim (we would have been fine for eating if it was at home)for a toddler and two teens, made coffee, brushed my teeth, made sure said teens were up and moving, fed dogs and a cat, made french toast for everyones breakfasts, threw clothes on, had a hurried conversation on mortgage refinance and paying bills (something that should not be hurried through!!!) brief prayer with Marty and got out the door all in 45 minutes I knew the kids would be late. If we could have left 5 minutes sooner well maybe you know how it goes too.
Traffic is different just leaving even 5 minutes earlier or later I have found. So today we found ourselves behind a school bus. My heart sinks thinking of it and I am not even behind it anymore. So I tried a different approach.
"Thank you God for that school bus driver. Bless them. Thank you for a person willing to get so many children to and from school safely. Bless Jamie Lord (my friend who drives one).
And thank you Lord for the school my kids are at this year. Thank you for the good it has been in our lives, for more people who care genuinely about them. Thank you that they are playing basketball this year and they are healthier for it.
Thank you Lord even for this sound of silence on the drive (even if it is representative of exhaustion this morning) this silence is a calming thing for me. Bless my kids and give them a good day inspite of the rushed and tired start. Help them and make them strong and able to learn what they are taught. Bless their teachers..."
And then I remembered after dropping them off the song I had taught my class sunday and my grandbabies yesterday, sung to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In..
Oh thank You God
Oh thank You God
Oh thank You God for what You've done
You've blessed my home and my family
Thank You God for what You've done
Was still tired when I got back about 8:30. Ate leftover chili for breakfast, fell asleep in the tub, washed my hair, unloaded the dishwasher, started getting ready for the office and then, well then unloaded here. I hope you can identify. God has NOT left us even when we are brain and bone weary. Nothing can separate us from His love and as mom's we get that. Nothing separates me from loving my children as imperfect as I may be at times and inspite of any of their imperfect moments.
I am loved and so are you!
