There’s been a voice developing in my head over the past year. This voice takes shards of my day and polishes and smoothes until it’s something I don’t mind putting in my window....souvenirs of my motherhood adventure. A toddler meltdown over a popsicle that in the moment makes me want to bang my head against the refrigerator door turns into a funny story that reminds me how far we’ve come from middle of the night feedings. And when I really tune into the voice, I often find insight into God and His love for me. This blog is the recording studio for that voice. My hope is that the souvenirs of my day serve as entertainment and encouragement to those of you who are banging your head against a refrigerator door. And that you’re inspired to find a voice of your own that turns these trying moments into treasured souvenirs.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Learning to be content as Princess Leia



Yesterday I googled “How to get silly putty out of clothing” and was somewhat shocked (and relieved) when there was an answer!  I’ve found the perfect concoction of chemicals that cleans blood out of carpeting.  Last week I created a voucher for the tooth fairy in place of the two teeth my five-year-old lost and swallowed in a WWF-style wrestling match with his brother.  If there was coursework for mothering boys, I would have a PhD.  So why do I not feel satisfied and find myself longing for a girl?  I’ve gone so far as to jokingly badger my husband about adopting a girl for the last several months.


I’ve been smugly resting in my contentedness.  I don’t need a newer car, better house, more stylish clothing…..I just need a girl!  What!?  Just when I think that I’ve put my contentment issues behind me, it rears its ugly head.  My longing for a girl has coincided with the idea of contentment presenting itself in various ways.  God never ceases to provide curriculum to school me in whatever I’m struggling with.  My book club picked a book on contentment, the sermon series at church is about being satisfied, and just yesterday New Kids On The Block was on T.V. 


Did I lose you?  Are you wondering how NKOTB has anything to do with God or contentment?  It just so happens that I was the New Kids’ #1 fan.  That’s right....my fourth-grade self was beyond obsessed.  I had posters, clothing, jewelry, dolls, not to mention the cassette tapes.  Everyone knew I was betrothed to Joey McIntyre.  An epic girl fight of razor sharp words and cold shoulders broke out when a classmate claimed that SHE was going to marry Joey.  As if!  


Seeing the now middle-aged group performing brought back these memories, and made me realize that little has changed in the world of girls. There is no way I could handle the Frozen frenzy….let alone the boy band of the year.  My life of superheroes and stain removal started looking pretty good.  And that longing for a little girl is back in check.  Being a mother of boys is the path God chose for me.  It’s far from easy, doesn’t offer a moment of boredom, and has me cast in the permanent role of Princess Leia.  How could I long for anything more?


“I’m not saying this because I’m in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phillipians 4:11

 Princess Leia has nothing to fear....her Storm Troopers are always near!

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