Embrace the Season You're in

Last year, after attending a meeting of the homeschool association I'm a part of, I got to talk to two other moms — "veteran" homeschool moms, I call them, because they're both a lot more experienced than I am, with their eldest children already working and other children either in high school or college.

We got to talking about the different seasons of life we may find ourselves in, and how throughout every season, God is there with us. After all, we don't call Him Omnipresent for nothing, right?

I was still pregnant with our third child that time, and thinking about the time (or lack thereof) that I was spending with my children. I was also still employed full-time then.

Things have changed a lot since then. Our youngest is turning eight months old soon. I've resigned from my job and now work as a freelance editor and writer, so I can focus on taking care of the kids more, including homeschooling the older two. In a country where it's somewhat of a norm to have household help (the Philippines), our family has had none for almost six months. Because of this, some people think I'm a "supermom."

Well, guess what? I most certainly am not.

I'm just a mom — a sinful, broken, imperfect mom — who relies very much on God's grace, and who has chosen to embrace the season of life that I'm in right now: a season with "littles." My kids are still young and they need me. Of course, I'm not saying that the moms who don't stay at home full-time are not fulfilling their children's needs. All I'm saying is that for this season of my life, I believe that I'm called to be home with my kids as much as possible.

Needless to say, it is not easy. There are difficult days when I miss the "peace and quiet" of the office. There are days when I mess up and yell at my kids and fear that I've scarred them for life. There are days when I am oh-so-tired and I have deadlines to meet and lessons to teach and wonder, "What did I get myself into?"

But then I remember what I learned from those veteran moms I mentioned earlier: Our life is made up of seasons. This, too, shall pass.

So now I want to "talk" to the moms out there.

To the weary mom who's wondering if there will ever be an end to all the dishes to wash, clothes to launder (and fold!), little kids and babies to entertain, train and mold (and nurse!)...

To the tired mom whose baby never wants to be put down or cries whenever she sees you moving away from her, and you can't even use the bathroom in peace...

To the mom of young kids who have learned how to test your limits, and who are teaching you every day that patience IS a virtue and an essential parenting "tool"...

Whatever situation you're in now... Whatever trial or test you're going through...

Know this.

This too SHALL PASS. This season of life with little ones who are totally or semi-dependent on you, on us... shall pass...

It may be hard to see the beauty in this season sometimes but it IS THERE. Just take a good look at your child(ren). They are living, breathing proof of it.

Embrace the season of life you're in now. Ask God to help you see the joy in the mundane. Especially during this time of Advent, during Christmas and beyond.

(This is a note to myself too. I know the holiday season can be a bit stressful for many of us. So I'm reminding myself about this now.)

What season of life are you in now? Whatever it is, know that you are not alone.

photo credit: Lauren Lionheart via photopin cc