I wanted to strangle someone yesterday.  Really, I did.  It was one of those days that I was exhausted (my own fault – stayed up to watch American Idol on Tivo and then had to settle down).  Just too many late nights in a row.  I gave the girls ample warning – “We are going to take naps today.  You will stay in your bed.  No arguing.”  How much clearer can you get?

We got home from school.  I let them play for a little bit to get their energy out.  We had a snack so no one could complain of hunger.  We went upstairs, read a story.  I even lay down with them to see if we could all sleep together (nice idea, awful reality).  That didn’t work out so well.  I put the little one in her bed.  Told her again she was to stay in bed and take a nap.  Kissed her cute little face and went to lie down.

As I’m lying in bed I hear a thud.  Someone is up.  I told myself it didn’t matter. Unless there was blood, I wasn’t getting up.  I finally start to drift into la-la land when I hear the pitter patter of little feet in my bedroom.  “GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM AND GET IN BED.” I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty.  I managed to calm myself down so I could fall back asleep.

The next thing I know, it’s 15 minutes later and I hear, “Mommie, can you come wipe me?”  Delightful.  I go upstairs and I see the little one, who obviously never went to bed, holding her underwear and showing me where she managed to not wipe so well. And the toilet seat. And her leg.  Ahhh, the joys of being 3.  Then I notice she decided to see what she would look like with tattoos all over her body by drawing with thick black ink on her arms, legs, hands, and face.  Did I mention it was thick and black?  “MOMMIE, Can you come wipe me?” the other one yells again.  “God, You have to help me!”  Ahhhhh!!! I just want everyone to take a nap?  Is that so awful?

I wish I could say I was calm, cool and collected.  Unfortunately, Mommie Monster reared her ugly head.  Where is mother Caroline from Little House on the Prairie when I need her?  She never yelled even when Laura got into an awful mess.  She never seemed to be mad.  I honestly never knew I could be so angry or mad until I had kids.  Lovely, isn’t it?

In one of her Bible study tapes, Beth Moore said that some older ladies were saying how much they loved every minute of being a mom.  Why can they say that? They’re old and they don’t remember! (Thank you, Beth!)  Being a mom is hard. It is one of the hardest (and thankless) jobs on the planet.  There are days I want to dig a hole and put my head in the sand (or someone else’s… did I really just write that?).  Noise, lack of sleep, bickering, whining, playing the same game over and over and over again, how much laundry and mess can 2 little ones make… Being a mom is hard.

But being a mom is also the best.  These precious, loud, energetic girls look to me for care, nurturing, love, support and fun.  God has gifted me with the privilege of holding their little hearts and beautiful bodies in my hands for this time in their lives. What an honor.

So, I need to take a deep breath.  I need a time-out to collect myself. We all have good days and bad days.  You are doing one of the hardest but most worthwhile and rewarding jobs on the planet.  I may not have it all together, but I know the One who does.  Isn’t it amazing how God knows what we need?  This is the daily verse on my phone today:

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.    2 Corinthians 12:9

You are not alone, Mommie.  Take a moment, take a deep breath and remember that with God’s help, you can do it.