It Won't Be Like This for Long

Liesl Schiavone reflects on how quickly the years pass by. The fleeting days of motherhood mimic our lives as Christians as we journey toward eternal life with Jesus. 

I’ve started listening to country music when I exercise. It’s not my typical genre choice, so it feels strange to say out loud, but one day I went for a run and found myself looking for the song “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker. For whatever reason it had been stuck in my head and sometimes the only way to get a song out is to listen to it. So I started a Darius Rucker Pandora station and it just felt right. The beat works well with my current (albeit slow) jogging pace, and it blends nicely with my boardwalk view. Things have been particularly hectic lately and fitting in that evening run with some homegrown country wisdom is sometimes just what I need.  

The other night I had about 20 minutes to squeeze in some sort of workout between studio hours, dinner, and dance pick-ups. I didn’t want to do it at all, and I really didn’t want to do it in the house. Every room seemed to need to be picked up and my 6-month-old had been having a rough day, only wanting his Mama despite all the things on my to-do list. So I begrudgingly dragged myself down to the boardwalk to get in little bit of cardio. I was tired, burnt out, and I dare say, a little bitter. Frustrated thoughts were swirling through my head. 

Why is every day so full? Why is there never enough time to do all the things? Why can’t I remember to drink enough water? Why is the baby crying so much — doesn’t he know I have things to do? When will I find time to potty train the toddler? When will she stop changing her clothes 27 times a day? Why are there so many things crammed into these few short weeks this spring? Why can’t I keep up with the housework? Why do they all want to eat dinner every night?  

The list goes on. It was just one of those days. My mind was reeling, I was discouraged. 

It won't be like this for long

As I was running, another Darius Rucker song came on, one I had never heard before: “It Won’t Be Like This for Long.” Pay attention to the opening stanza:

I tried to ignore the lyrics and just continue my grumpy trot down the boardwalk, but the song got to me. I felt my hard heart soften and tears begin to form. Motherhood is hard — but it won’t be like this for long. They won’t be this little for many more years, and they won’t always need me like they do now. I won’t be responsible for their meals and laundry and full calendars for much longer.

It just won’t be like this for long. I won’t be responsible for those things, but I will always be responsible for their souls. I’ll be responsible for how they’ve learned to love. 

What matters most

Our day-to-day challenges are tasks we face are only for a short while. With different seasons come different things to be stressed about, different things to consume our thoughts — but in the course of our lives, most of the things that get us worked up are really just not very important. We approach every day ready to juggle a million tasks, running ourselves into the ground to cross off items on our to-do list, but the only thing that matters about the day is how well we love, and how we teach them to love. As St. John of the Cross said, 

In the twilight of life, we will be judged on love alone. (Saint John of the Cross, quoted in Catechism of the Catholic Church 1022) 

So many strangers like to remind us of this truth. The lady in the grocery store who says, “Don’t blink; they’ll be moving out soon,” or the grandmother who stopped to admire the babies on your walk, “It goes so fast! You’ll miss these days.” We hear it so often, it’s easy to brush off or even to be annoyed. But it’s true. These days are fleeting and one day we’ll wish we could go back for just one moment. We’ll crave the toddler hugs and broken sentences, we’ll long for the mispronounced words and the silly dance parties.  

Fleeting days: a reality of motherhood and the Christian life

These fleeting days are a reality of motherhood, but they are also true of the Christian life. Our Lord promises us eternity with Him. 

Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. (1 John 2:17) 

Because heaven exists outside of time as we know it and eternity surpasses everything we’ve ever thought about time or length. Life with Christ is so much longer and more glorious than we can imagine.  

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. (Psalm 84:11a)

 We are merely sojourners and this life as we know it will pass in a moment. We were not created for this world, but we are created for the Kingdom. Jesus said, 

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God, have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” (John 14:1-4) 

What to remember on the hard days

In motherhood there will be all kinds of days. Beautiful days and hard days, exhausting days, and invigorating days. Days when you feel completely at home in your vocation and days when you are certain you have no idea what you are doing. 

When the hard days come, remember: this is not our home. We are merely passing through. We are preparing ourselves and those we love for heaven, and the hardships are just part of the journey. 

Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2024 Liesl Schiavone
Images: (top, bottom) copyright 2024 Liesel Schiavone, all rights reserved; all others Canva