Moms need social outlets. Two of my favorites are Bible study and book club. Last week, I missed them both.
Bummer.
My two-year-old had a cold. It was nothing to dampen her spirits, thankfully, just a junky cough and runny nose—i.e., the symptoms. You know, those dreaded mucus signs flagged in the universal code of motherhood as: “CONTAGIOUS! Don’t let your kid lick my kid’s toys.”
So of course, we stayed home.
“What are we going to do today, beanie?” I crouched to my toddler’s level and smoothed her wispy hair with my fingertips.
“Read books.” Her eyes twinkled. Then she coughed in my face.
“Okay, bring me three books.” And a box of Airborne.
“Five books!”
“Three books to start.” I grabbed a tissue and wiped her nose. “Then when we’re done reading, you can help me put some laundry in the wash.” Might as well take advantage of our quarantine and catch up on the housework.
“Okay, Momma!” She ran to her room and returned with—yep—five books. We snuggled into the sofa cushions and started reading. Brown Bear, Little Pea, Going to Sleep on the Farm. When we finished one stack of favorite stories, she retrieved another from the book bin. Then another, and another.
Before I knew it, our three-book limit blew to nearly an hour of quality time huddled together under a blanket. Then we set the books aside and turned on a movie. My daughter cradled a sippy cup in the crook of her elbow and pressed her head against my chest.
Stillness. Such a strange feeling. I listened to my daughter breathe and sniffle. Cough and sneeze. Munch crackers and giggle at the television screen.
Laundry? Forget it. I have more important things to do.
“But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me,” (Psalm 131:2).
Sometimes I trick myself into thinking busy is better. That being in fellowship with God requires being in fellowship with other people—facilitating my small group Bible study, scheduling play dates and coffee breaks, dissecting the meaning of life with friends while holding steaming lattes in our hands.
But when I’m forced to sit in the quiet, slow moments, I begin to see how loud and rushed my life has become. Social commitments. Church activities. Work. Chores. Routines. They can pack the calendar and crowd out my peace. They crowd out God. Then a sick day punches our pause button, and I have no choice but to rest.
Funny, isn’t it? All this time I thought social outlets were my “break.”
Maybe not.
As I sat on the sofa with my arms around my daughter and studied her delicate eyelashes, her red-rimmed nose, her plump cheeks, it dawned on me—I am not stuck home alone. God is here. And he’s inviting us to our own little party.
That is not a bummer. It’s beautiful.
Now the question is—does God like Strawberry Shortcake videos? I sure hope so.
Blessings,
Becky
Oh I just loved every minute of this post! You grabbed a hold of the “greater thing” and I say good for you mama, good for you!
Thank you, Stephanie! Your comment blesses me!
LOVELY post! Busy-ness is never better, in my opinion. And I remember, well, one very trying winter not too long ago when either one or the other of my children was sick and I had miss what seemed like endless Bible Studies, book clubs, nights out. Thanks for the reminder that God is with use even when we feel “stuck at home” and that His presence is something to celebrate!
I have a feeling, Laura, that as the busy holiday calendar closes in on us, I’ll be wishing for more of those “stuck at home” days, how about you? It’s always fun to hear from you here!
When I saw this title on the link-up, I thought it might be penned by you, Becky! And as usual, you cut through the pretense and jump right into life with wisdom that can only be found in the quiet moments of motherhood. Yes, we all need those “be still” moments, don’t we? Beautifully written reminder!
What kind words, Beth – thank you! I’m laughing that you can identify me by my titles. I definitely need more of those “be still” moments, yes, although next time, I’ll try to find them on a healthy day as well. Blessings to you and your family!
Stopping in from Laura’s…sweet …sweet post…and i do think God must like strawberry shortcake…if not I wasted a lot of years:) So thankful you are seeing these moments…holy moments indeed… I know these days can seem long…the days maybe long…but the years are short~ blessings ~
http://tuningmyhearttopraise.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-fathers-call-me-friend.html
The days are long but the years are short – yes, so true! I’m trying to embrace the long days, even the sick ones. Thanks for reading, Ro!
Oh yes, a perfect post to read at this time, since my daughter has a little cold herself! I have been dreading her waking up at night crying because she can’t breath. Last night when she woke up crying, and crying and crying, she instantly stopped as soon as I held her. I put her down to grab a diaper to change her and she cried until I came back to her side! It is nice to be able to comfort her when nothing else can!
http://theadventuresofthescottfamily.blogspot.com/
There are advantages to being the mommy nurse, I agree. 🙂 It’s good to be loved and needed.
Beautiful, as always, Becky! I always need that reminder. 🙂
Good to see your smiling face here, Erica!
I completely agree with you on moms needing social outlets. This post is amazing Becky.
Social outlets balanced with quiet times. A tricky feat, but not impossible! Blessings to you and your family, Ashley!
As a mom who had to cancel plans last Friday to stay home with a sick child, this was perfectly timed. I found my frustration at missing my lunch melt into peace as I held my almost 4 year old (how did that happen so fast??) and I cherished my time with her. I am relatively new to your blog and I am so grateful to the friend who shared your blog with me. It seems to speak straight to me and every week I look forward to it!
Thank you so much for reading. I hope your daughter is feeling better!
A wonderful perspective!
Visiting from Things I Can’t Say.
Thanks for stopping by, Amanda!
This sounds like a perfect way to pass the day. Why do we wait until we are sick to slow this way?
Good question, Laura! I wonder the same thing myself.
Too busy, not enough time, squeezing it in. I am guilty of it all. Then in the middle of the day my baby who at 12 is not a baby anymore will sneak up behind me and hug me. For no reason, just because it is what he does. Funny how everything changes with that simple gesture..
I love knowing there are 12-year-olds who still want to hug their moms. 🙂 I hope mine will, too, someday!
Hi I am a follower from the hop and enjoyed your blog. Being a working mom I fear my kids waking up sick because sometimes dread having to leave them with the baby sitter and worrying about them all day. I would love to be there for them… but also enjoy having some time for myself too 🙂
I would love for you to follow back.
Jillian
http://puzzlemecomplete.blogspot.com/2012/11/wordless-wednesday-great-grenada.html
A valuable perspective, Jillian – I know how hard it is to scramble for sick-child care when the calendar is filled with obligations. I’m learning to be more relaxed about dropping everything if I can. Thanks for following!
Oh so lovely. I am usually reluctant to spend tons of time just sitting and reading but when my girl and I slow down long enough to cuddle under a blanket with a stack of books, we pass many beautiful hours. Love the perspective in your words.
I am also reluctant, Tricia – but getting better. Today my girls and I camped out on my bed for half an hour after school watching a cooking show and playing with stuffed animals. Quality time doesn’t require being active, that’s the lesson I’m learning.
My family and I are going through the same thing this week. Sick kids means no MOPS, preschool, or gym. But it also means more stories, movies, and building blocks. Sometimes it’s just nice to slow down and enjoy the little moments.
Stopping by from Pour Your Heart Out
No MOPS!?! Oh, I feel for you. I hope everybody is feeling better very soon… and that those quiet moments stick around long after the sickness has gone.
Sometimes I think that when we’re sick, it’s God’s way of telling us to slow down. It sounds like you got the message.
I learned that the hard way a few times, Adrienne. So true.