“I am just a mom.” 

I hate to hear someone say that! Mothers do the most important job on earth when they raise healthy, happy, productive children. Abraham Lincoln, our great president, said, “All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

What not everyone knows is that the angel mother to whom he refers is actually his stepmother. His birth mother died when he was nine and, the following year, his father remarried. Sarah had children of her own, yet she was a loving and devoted mother to all of the children, and she especially nurtured Abraham in his desire to learn and read. 

This is a comforting thought to those of us who are stepmothers, aunts, foster moms, and grandmothers, or who are in other positions of nurturing. The task of mothering is not only the province of those who give birth. To “mother”—which is defined as “to look after kindly and protectively”—is incredibly demanding, and just as incredibly—and critically—important. To mother is a noble task and those who participate in it, to any extent, are doing a great and valuable work.

However, in the midst of diapers, tantrums, mischief, and defiance, it may be a challenge to feel that one is engaged in a noble task. Often it feels like we are in “survival mode.” Roseann Barr once joked that if her children were alive at the end of the day, she had done her job as a mother. 

I know for every mother there are days which feel like that. On those days, it can help to remember Abraham Lincoln’s feelings about his “angel mother,” and recognize that someday it may be your influence that sways the world. 

The next time you are deciding whether to scrub the crayon mural off the wall or frame it, remember Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln, and mother on!

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only—and that is to support the ultimate career.”  

 —C. S. Lewis 

Today when this world is so often in chaos, it is critical to remember what is important and what lasts. Too often the world, in general, demeans the role of homemaker. It sends the message that being a homemaker is what you do when you aren’t smart enough, strong enough, driven enough, or educated enough, to work outside the home. And that is clearly not the truth. 

Making a home is much more than cooking, cleaning, and washing—you can hire those things out, if you have enough money. But you can’t pay someone to be your child’s mother. You can hire a babysitter, even a nanny who becomes devoted to your child—but that child is still your child, and no one can love that child as you do, with love that is visceral, concrete, and unshaken. 

Homemaking is two words: home + making—making an environment where the people you love are able to grow and dream and feel safe. “There’s no place like home!” “Home is where the heart is!” Homemaking is creating a haven, a breathing space, and a refuge from the world. Homemaking is helping children build relationships with family, including parents, siblings, and God.

Being a mother has challenges; it is not a job for the weak or the lazy or the selfish… But women like me who have tendencies towards those things still become mothers — and then we see the miracle of how much motherhood helps us improve when those tendencies interfere with the well-being of our children! Suddenly, selfishness evolves into selflessly getting and doing and being whatever your child needs! Laziness is converted into opportunities to cuddle and sing, read stories and rock your little one to sleep. And weakness—well, legends are told of how weak women become tigresses on behalf of their children with no advance planning — it just happens in the moment of need!

So, making a home for your children—your family—that is comforting, safe, and clean is nice, but it’s secondary to the love you have for your family. You do it because your family needs it—and hopefully they appreciate it (and learn to help)—but loving comes first. So, when you stress about how little housework (or ANY other kind of work, really) you have managed to get done because you have spent your time mothering instead, think of this charming little poem:

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait ‘til tomorrow,
For babies grow up, we’ve learned to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep. 
I’m rocking my baby, and babies don’t keep.

Photo by Trung Nhan Tran on Unsplash

By Emily Perl Kingsley, included in the Washington State School for the Deaf newsletter

When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like you’re planning a vacation to Italy. You’re all excited. You get a whole bunch of guidebooks, you learn a few phrases so you can get around, and then it comes time to pack your bags and head for the airport.

Only when you land, the stewardess says, “Welcome to Holland.” 

You look at her in disbelief and shock saying, “Holland? What are you talking about? I signed up for Italy!”

But she explains there’s been a change of plans, that you’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay.

“But I don’t know anything about Holland!” you say. “I don’t want to stay!”

But stay you do. You go out and buy some new guidebooks, you learn some new phrases and you meet people you never knew existed. The important thing is that you are not in a slum full of pestilence and famine. You’re simply in a different place than you had planned. It’s slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy, but after you’ve been there a little while and you have a chance to catch your breath you begin  to discover that Holland has windmills. Holland has tulips. Holland has Rembrandts.

But everyone else you know is busy coming and going from Italy. They’re all bragging about what a great time they had there and for the rest of your life, you’ll say, “Yes, that’s what I had planned.” 

The pain of that will never, ever go away. 

You have to accept that pain, because the loss of that dream, the loss of that plan, is a very, very significant loss. 

But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to go to Italy, you will never be free to enjoy the very special, very lovely things about Holland.

By Samantha Allred

When my daughter was only a few weeks old, my husband and I were both exhausted, frustrated, and struggling to adapt to our new lives as parents. One day, I began scrolling through social media and was bombarded with posts about the COVID-19 pandemic. I began to feel overwhelmed with negativity and fear until I came across a video from one of my favorite comedians. I watched the video and laughed until I cried. I felt an enormous sense of relief. Like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I physically felt like I had more energy, and I mentally felt a renewed sense of hope and motivation.

This experience taught me about the importance of laughter. Life is full of difficult circumstances that can easily take over our lives and make us feel bombarded with negativity. However, laughter is strong medicine and has the power to replace those negative feelings with hope and light. It lightens your burdens, inspires hope, and strengthens your relationships. 

The goal is to find a way to incorporate humor and laughter into the fabric of your life, finding it naturally in everything. If you are struggling with this, you can start by listing what you are grateful for to help you consider the positive aspects of your life, and spending time with fun people who routinely find humor in everyday events, because laughter is contagious. 

Photo by Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash

by Annette T. Durfee

When I was first married, I told myself that although I might not be rich, I could still be clean.  In my exuberance as a new bride, I felt like that was something I had control over.  Later, as children multiplied and the demands on this mother’s time began to pile up, I changed my tune a little to this familiar adage:

 “Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow.

For babies grow up we’ve learned to our sorrow. 

So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep,

I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.”

 While this poem has some truth to it, and we should definitely treasure the time we have with our children, I do not think it means we need to neglect our homes.  And I have found that I am not truly happy in a dirty, cluttered home.  In fact, I believe that if we do it right, our homes can be a refuge from the world – a happy oasis so-to-speak.  And so, while it may be virtually impossible to keep an absolutely immaculate home, I do my best to help it be clean, orderly, and beautiful.  Here are a few tips I have found to help our home be both clean and happy.

1. Everything is not always clean at the same time. What kind of promising list is it that must begin with a disclaimer?   Yet, remember that the goal is not only to be clean, but happy – and that means the mother too.  This means that I must be realistic.  After all, even Betty Crocker has her limits.  I have found that if the dishes are done and the downstairs is clean, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the laundry is folded or that the toilets are scrubbed.  Time is always a tradeoff.  If you see “clean” in one room, you must know that other things are not done.  Likewise, if my day has been full of errand running, grocery shopping, or volunteering at the school you can be guaranteed that the house is not entirely tidy. 

2. 10 Minute Tasks. My friend Caren taught me to do those unavoidable, yet necessary jobs as quickly as possible.  She offered to do my dishes once.  I felt it would be okay to procrastinate, but she insisted that it would only take 10 minutes.  Soon, I began to follow this line of thinking and I have found great success with it.  Seldom do I have big blocks of time.  And other times, I feel too tired or overwhelmed with big jobs.  So, I try to think small and simple.  By setting the timer for 10 minutes, I allow myself success by working furiously to get as much as possible completed.  Yes, racing the clock is a mind game for adults as well as children.  And the snowball effect it has on me works wonders.  And do you know what?  The very process of just beginning gives me energy for more!

3. Put your “helpers” to work! Let’s call it teamwork, folks!  I figure, if they can help make the mess, they are old enough to help clean it up.  Giving them jobs not only prevents more mess in the meantime, but helps their self – esteem and sense of contribution and personal responsibility.  What a great gift!  True, this may take more time initially, but eventually, as children are trained, this tip actually becomes a time saver.  A word of caution:  A clean house does not equal happiness if it takes a fight to get it that way, so practice patience and use your creativity to make it fun and rewarding for them.

4. Get out one project at a time.  There is definitely wisdom in not running faster than we have strength. We would not think of making our baby run a marathon before they learn to crawl nor would we hand our toddler juggle 50 pound weights, so why would we do it to ourselves?  All right, I will admit that I am not always good at this, in fact, it seems that there are often many balls in the air all at the same time.  Yes – never a dull moment!  But I know that at those times when I have put away the first project before I proceed with the next, things are definitely less chaotic.  For example, a few moments in the kitchen after each meal saves a lot of time later.  

5. Have a cleaning schedule.  Having a certain time of the day or week to do things helps me relax and not feel guilty about undone work.  I know when and whose turn it is to help with this or that.  Everyone is on the daily schedule to clean their rooms and do a dish job.  With a schedule, I know which day I will do the laundry and I never have to scramble to take out the garbage.  Chores that only come once a week are scheduled as well.  I can calmly go about the tasks at hand and realize that even though there is always something waiting to be done, I can take it easy and tackle today’s load because the rest will be done on the proper day. 

6. Be flexible:  Now wait a minute.  Didn’t I just say to have a schedule?  And now I’m saying to be flexible.  Well, yes.  A schedule is great for some things, but if the baby is crying or your toddler needs a friend to play with for a while, a rigid schedule can become the family enemy.  People are always more important than a task to be done.  Sometimes other things call for our attention as well, don’t they?  Sometimes we need a few moments to ourselves to rejuvenate.  So, give yourself a little wiggle room.  It’s okay when things don’t always run like clockwork. 

7.  Less is more.  Years ago, I read a marvelous decluttering book by Don Aslett entitled, Clutter’s Last Stand.  I fell in love with the ideas from it and would encourage anyone to read it who has a difficult time hanging onto EVERYTHING!  The basic idea is that if you do not use it, like it, or need it, no matter who gave it to you, or how much it costs, or how long you’ve hung onto it, toss it or give it away!  Just how many neckties, Legos, envelopes, and knick – knacks from Aunt Paddy Whack do you need anyway?  While you’re at it, teach your children to go through their school papers and belongings as well.  This is a life skill.  And I find it incredibly freeing to realize that by simplifying, you have less to wash, polish, scrub, fold up, dust, or trip over more space, money, and time to share with your family and others in meaningful ways.

8. Organize.  There are a zillion and one ideas out there to organize every nook and cranny in your home.  I had fun with an old book called Confessions of a Happily Organized Wife. (The title alone makes me smile).  But to simplify, may I suggest some basic ideas. 

• Make sure that everything has a place.  This increases the likelihood that it will be returned to its home.   I find that containers of some sort help with this.  (One drawer holds all of the cooking utensils; one place to look for the office supplies or the mail – and it isn’t the kitchen counter!) 
• Ensure that there is only ONE movement to put something away.  It helps if you take off lids and keep them off.  I take my dirty clothes off and before they reach the floor, I swoosh them into the dirty clothes bin.  One step to file the bill or discard it.

9.  Dovetail.   It is really fun to do two things at once.   For example, my mom taught me to put my “maids” to work in the morning (dishwasher, washer/dryer).  I can also do this when I talk on the phone while sweeping, catch up on the child’s school day while folding socks together, or  letting breakfast cook while I make lunch. Remember again, that relationships are always more important than “getting it all done.” If you neglect your children, for example by tapping away at the computer or scrolling endlessly on your phone while they are begging for attention, you have only fooled yourself.

10. Survival mode.  Part of the inevitable with raising a family are those times when it is just less important to have a totally clean home – maybe someone is sick, you have a new baby or a time – consuming church assignment.  Forget about cobwebs, dusting, cabinets, closets.  At these times, I feel that it is better to settle for some clean for the sake of your sanity rather than to let the whole house fall to pieces.  I have decided that the three main things of importance are dishes, laundry, and making my bed (which gives the general appearance that the room is mostly clean).  My next favorite strategy is to whisk through the living area with a laundry basket for a little clutter pickup.  I let everyone do their part to empty it.  Aren’t I thoughtful?

 At the end of the day, remember to smile.  Don’t worry so much about perfection.  A clean and happy home is within your reach, so be your own best friend.  Put your feet up for a bit and give yourself a pat on the back for what you have done.

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

By Ted Gibbons

My Dear Father in Heaven…

Yes?

Could we have a little quiet around here? I’m praying.

But you called me

Called you? Called who? I didn’t call anybody. I’m praying. My Dear Father in Heaven…

There, you did it again.

Did what?

Called me. You said, “My Dear Father in Heaven.” Here I am. What’s on your mind?

But I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just, you know, saying my prayers for the night. I always say my prayers. I don’t feel good about going to sleep if I don’t.

Oh. All right. Go on.

Are you kidding?

You did want to talk to me, didn’t you?

Well—yes

Here I am. Talk

I’m thankful for my many blessings.

Hold it! How thankful?

What?

How thankful are you for your ‘many blessings?’

I’m – well – I don’t know. It’s just part of the prayer. Mom always told me that I should express my thanks.

Oh. Well, you’re certainly welcome. Go ahead.

Go ahead?

With the prayer.

Oh, yeah. Let’s see – bless the poor and the sick and the needy and the afflicted…

Do you really mean that?

Sure I mean it.

What are you doing about it?

Doing? What am I doing about it? Nothing, I guess. I just think that it would be kind of nice if you got control of things down here. I don’t like to see people suffer.

Do I have control of you?

Sure. I go to church. I pay my offerings. I don’t…

That isn’t what I asked you. What about your temper? You don’t even have control of that, and your friends and family suffer. And then there’s the way you spend your money – all on yourself. And how about the kind of books you read? And the movies you see?

Well, Father, I think I’m as good as most of the people I see at church every Sunday.

And you are, but I thought you were praying for me to bless the needy. If that is to happen, I’ll have to have help from the ones who are praying for it. Like you.

I understand. I guess I have a few hangups. Since you brought it up, I could probably mention some others.

So could I

Look, Father, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than usual. Bless the missionaries to be led to the doors of the honest in heart.

You mean people like Ralph?

Ralph?

Yes. The one you’ve taught your little brother, Joey, to call ‘Beer-belly Ralph.’ The one around the corner.

That Ralph? Ralph Swenson? You’ve got to be kidding. He hasn’t been sober since he was sixteen. And he thinks anyone who goes to church is a hypocrite.

Why?

I don’t know.

It couldn’t have anything to do with the names the neighborhood kids call him, could it?

OK. I get the message. I’ll tell Joey to cut it out.

By the way, have you taken a look at his heart lately?

His heart?

I have. I’ve looked. And it’s one of those honest hearts you were just praying about.

Well, then, do something about it. Do you think I like having an atheist for a neighbor?

Aren’t you supposed to share the gospel? I thought I’d made that pretty clear.

That’s scary. I wouldn’t have any idea how to approach him.

Try a little tolerance and friendship.

Father, wait a minute. I know I’m not perfect. But I am here doing my duty, keeping your commandment to pray, and all of a sudden, you’re here, reminding me of all my problems.

You called me here, remember? Keep on praying. I’m interested in the next part. You haven’t changed the order around have you?

I don’t want to go on.

Why not?

I know what you’ll say.

Try me and see.

Please forgive all my sins, and help me to forgive others.

What about David?

See! I knew it! I knew you’d bring him up. Listen, Lord. He told lies about me and I lost my job – the best job I ever had. Everyone in that office thinks I’m a first-class creep, and I didn’t do anything! Am I supposed to let him get away with that?

But your prayers. What about your prayers?

I didn’t mean the part about forgiving.

Well, at least you’re honest. I guess you enjoy carrying that load of bitterness around don’t you?

No, I don’t. But I’ll feel better as soon as I get even.

Do you wanna know a secret?

What secret?

You won’t feel better. You’ll feel worse. Listen to me. You forgive David, and I’ll forgive you.

Forgive me? For what?

Do you really want the whole list?

All right, nevermind. But Lord – I don’t think I can forgive David.

Then I can’t forgive you.

Why not?

Because I hate to encourage hypocrisy.

Oh all right. Please help me control my actions and not yield to temptations.

Good. I’ll do just that. But you stop putting yourself in all those places where you can be tempted. 

What do you mean by that?

Quit spending so much time scrolling on social media, and be more careful what you click on. Some of that stuff is going to get to you sooner or later and you’ll find yourself involved in something terrible, and when you do, don’t use me for an escape hatch.

An escape hatch? I don’t understand.

Think about it. You’ve done it lots of times. You put very little effort into our relationship until you find yourself in a crisis, then you come running. I know just how your mom feels.

My mom?

Your mom. The only time you talk to her is when you need something. As a matter of fact, it’s amazing how quickly the quality and intensity of your prayers improve when you are in trouble. Do you remember some of those bargains you wanted to make with me?

Bargains? No – well, I don’t think – oh, yeah, like the time mom’s friend saw me coming out of that one movie – oh brother!

Do you remember your prayer? I do. You said, “Dear Father, don’t let her tell my mother where I’ve been. I promise I’ll go to nothing but G-rated movies from now on.” She didn’t tell your mother, but you didn’t keep your promise, did you?

No, Father, I didn’t. I’m sorry.

So am I. Go on and finish your prayer.

No, wait. I want to ask you a question. Do you always listen to my prayers?

Every word, every time.

Why haven’t you answered me before?

How many chances have you given me? There’s not enough time between your “Amen” and your head hitting the pillow for me to take a breath. How am I supposed to give an answer?

You could, if you really wanted to.

No, I could if you really wanted me to. Child, I always want to.

Father, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?

I already have. And thanks for letting me interrupt. I get lonely to talk to you sometimes. Good night. I love you.

Good night. And I love you, too.

Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash