The Wisdom of Bread Crusts, Novels, and Naps: Encouragement for Too Pooped to Party Mommas

I remember riding out of the church parking lot, the back of the mini-van stuffed with kids, passing by one empty nest, middle-age mother after another, my jealousy brewing. I thought  . . .

Ms. Blonde. I bet she’s going to recline on her sofa this afternoon and read a novel. An empty nest meant more time to relax, uninterrupted.

 

Mrs. Auburn. I bet her husband is taking her to lunch. An empty nest meant some extra cash, less cooking.

The Brunette. I bet she’s going to a quiet house to take a nap today. An empty nest meant more time to rest, refuel.

I know these things, because I was once so close to the empty nest, I could see it. Feel it. Almost touch it. But if you remember my story, you know, just as I was near the end of my full nest, three precious little girls flew in.

And, yes, on this particular Sunday morning, this Second-hand Mother, the Mother of the Cottage was having a woe is me moment. Wondering how I ended up in a mini-van. Again. And who the heck were all these kids.

So I did what I usually do when I’m overwhelmed and feeling like a scum. I cried out to the Lord of the Heaven’s. “Why me? Why now? Why? Why? Why? Help!”

But when I finally stopped whining and listened to the CD playing softly in the background, I heard this song--not just the music--but the words. And I found the strength to ride on, in that mini-van, home to make lunch.

 

 

So if today is one of those days, you know, those days, and you’re wondering if this service, we call motherhood, is worth it? Give yourself a few minutes, and hear these words above life’s noise. And during nap-time, if you can just let the dishes sit in the sink, the laundry lay in the pile, recline on your sofa, read that novel, munch on those leftover P and J crusts, doze-off. Let’s not let those empty nesters have all the R&R!

 

 

If you would like to continue to read more stories by the Mother of the Cottage, AKA The Second-hand Mother, please subscribe to Carolyn's new blog here. She will continue to address issues for survivors of sexual abuse at Tamar's Redemption beginning this fall.

 

The Wisdom of Simple Prayers

The Handsome Aging Husband had to go slow in his relationship with The Three Little Girls. Father-figures weren’t safe. And he did. But there came a time when it seemed natural for him to tuck The Three Little Girls into bed at night. So, he did.

Then one morning after such a time, the eldest of the three, the eight-year-old mother, came bounding into the kitchen, a smile lighting her face. “Last night when Uncle Ken was praying, he thanked Jesus for making me special and asked Jesus to keep me safe. I liked that.”

 

Image courtesy of tungphoto/freedigitalimages.net

 

And the Mother of the Cottage smiled. She liked that too.

If you would like to continue read more stories by the Mother of the Cottage, AKA The Second-Hand Mother, please subscribe to Carolyn's new blog here. She will continue to address issues for survivors of sexual abuse at Tamar's Redemption beginning this fall.

The Story of the Second-hand Mother

 Once upon a time there was a mother, who loved shoes, and lived in a

Copyright R&SMovement 2013

cottage with her Handsome Husband. And, yes, she had so many children, she didn’t know what to do. One child had dyslexia, another ADD, another ADHD, and still another apraxia of speech. She loved and cared for each one, grieving their losses, celebrating their victories. She watched them grow. They turned into Three Fine Young Men and One Special Young Lady. And the mother smiled, her job nearly done. So she made plans for her future.

Then the Lord of the Heavens said, “Oh, not so fast, Mother of the Cottage. I will send you three more children to fill your home.”

But the mother cried, “I’m older. Have you seen my gray hairs? Lord, do you have any idea how hard it is to be a parent? And besides, I can finally afford more shoes. Surely you’ve chosen the wrong mother!”

But the Lord of the Heavens said, “Do not fear. I will be with you.”

Then Three Little Girls, with broken dreams and sad hearts, but sparkly bright futures, came to live with the older Mother of the Cottage and her aging husband.

Each day, the mother asked—no, she cried—to the Lord of the Heavens for wisdom, patience, mercy, grace, forgiveness.

Time passed. Then something mysterious and marvelous happened—the Mother of the Cottage, her Handsome, Aging Husband, the Three Fine Young Men and Special Young Woman fell in love with the Three Little Girls. And although the Mother of the Cottage still cries out to the Lord of the Heavens for wisdom daily, she knows in her heart there is nothing more important she can do with her future. And she surely doesn’t need more shoes.

And this is the beginning of the story of the Second-hand Mother—a momma parenting for the second time around.

 

Twice upon a time . . .

 

If you would like to read more stories from the Second-Hand Mother, please subscribe to Carolyn's new blog here. Carolyn will continue to address issues for survivors of sexual abuse at Tamar's Redemption beginning this fall.