Five Minute Friday: Real

On Fridays over here a group of people who love to go all out buck wild for the fun of the written word gather to share what five minutes buys them. Just five minutes. Unscripted. Unedited. Real.  If you have writer’s block – we have the cure. {Hosted by the Gypsy Mama}

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

Real…

“of or relating to practical or everyday concerns or activities” {Merriam Webster}

GO.

When I was in High School I dreamed of college.  When I was in college I dreamed of being married.  After I was married I dreamed of being a mama.  Now all of those things are realities.  They have happened.  But being a real mom isn’t just about beautiful babies, cute outfits, and play dates.  Sometimes it’s hard!

This has been a rough week.  Two sick kids.  Sleepless nights.  Holding them as they struggle to breathe through the stuffy nose.  Comforting the cough.  Medicating the fever.  I have wondered… “is this all there is to being a mom?”

Sometimes I crawl into bed at night, exhausted, yet wondering, “What did I accomplish today?”  Sometimes I think my life could be described as Professional Diaper Changer or Booger Wiper.  Sometimes it all seems insignificant.  Sometimes I don’t want to be a stay-at-home-mom.

For us, there was no choice or debate.  When we had kids we knew I would stay home with them.  We knew it was God’s design for the women to be keepers at home.  We knew that it was our job as parents to be the primary influence in our children’s lives.  Not the teachers.  Not the day care worker.  Not Grandma.  Ours.  Mine.  Every day.

So this is what being a real mom is like.  Sometimes motherhood is hard.  Sometimes it seems as if I am accomplishing nothing.  Doing no good.  But I know that it is worth it.  The “practical, everyday concerns” of my children’s lives are what consume my days.  Washing.  Feeding.  Hugging.  Playing.  Teaching.  And even when it doesn’t seem like it, I know I am accomplishing a world of good.  I am there for my kids.  I am molding their lives.  I am {hopefully} demonstrating Christ to them in every mundane task and seemingly worthless chore.  That is what is real.  And one day, maybe they will rise up and call me blessed…

STOP.