Coffee and Concealer

As I looked in the mirror this morning I thought, "There is not enough coffee or concealer in the world to help me out today." G was up almost all night and only she knows why. No matter what we did, she was not pacified. This is totally out of character for her. As any mom knows, during those brief, quiet moments between wails over the baby monitor, you try to sleep but can't because you are already anticipating the next round. This is very different from sleep deprivation that we experienced during her infancy. I knew that I could at least try and nap a she napped during the day...it doesn't work like that once you return to work. While my students would probably get a kick out of seeing their teacher drool on her desk while lost in comatose slumber, I doubt the parents or administrative staff would find it as humorous.

Sitting here, with strong coffee in hand, I look upon the coming day. There will be meetings, conflict resolution, etc.. Of course I know I must give it my all today, but what do you do when your all seems less than satisfactory?

It's a good question that not just mothers, but most people, have been mucking through for centuries. While I can't speak for everyone, I know that from a Christian standpoint, both as a woman and mother, my help comes from the Lord.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

It's mornings like this that I cling to His promises (that I too often take for granted). How wonderfully blessed am I that He watches over me and carries me through, without even asking! And yet, how much greater are my blessings when I do seek Him in the good and bad, the rejoicing and the trials. His love knows no bounds.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9a

Raising children is an awesome opportunity for us as parents to invest in the future and impact the Kingdom. While the "hazards" of parenting can sometimes seem inconvenient, the truth is, next to accepting Christ in our own lives, teaching our children to love the Lord is, what I believe to be my highest calling. Everything else the Lord places in my life just sweetens it.