Today I am conflicted. You see, last week I went through one of those moments that every mother hates to face: I said good-bye to my baby. It has taken me several weeks to come to grips with the fact that my little buddy wasn't going to be at home anymore. After all, I had gotten used to the preschool schedule which left Mommy time in the afternoon! I talked to all of my friends about my feelings; I had lots of people praying; I understood I was entering another stage in my life. You know what? I actually did OK saying good-bye that first day. I didn't even cry until I said "I love you buddy" and then I dashed from the room leaving my husband and daughter to finish the good-byes. That day my son entered elementary school and I realized that nothing would be the same again- or so I thought.
First, let me give you a few highlights of last week. On the first day of Kindergarten after meeting his teacher, my son looked at me and asked "why didn't you tell me she was going to be a little kid teacher?". Huh??? Is it just me or is that not something a mother is supposed to instinctively know to tell her child entering kindergarten?
On the second day of school, my son came home talking about even and odd numbers. Of course I was impressed thinking (like every other mother on the planet) "my son sure is smart". I then went on to ask him to give me an example of an even number. He quickly said "two". Then mother of the year that I am, told him "no, that is odd". OK, give me a break, I was cooking dinner at the time. Fortunately, my son argued with me and I was able to correct my mistake- I admit it, he may be smart but I'm not.
On the third day, I walked my son into the classroom and realized that I had completely forgotten to put the kids lunches in their backpacks. I explained to the teacher that she would have to help my son buy lunch for his first time. Well, just as I was saying this, my son pulled his lunchbox out of his backpack. What??? I then learned that my third grader had taken it upon herself to pack the lunches. Yes, another mother of the year moment trying to explain this to my son's new teacher.
On the first day of the second week, my son was sick. He was sick on the second, third, fourth, and fifth days also. My son just had a fever and truthfully, really wasn't acting all that sick. He was home with me again, a little cranky, and bored. Now, to be honest, I know I'm not supposed to admit it but I had a pretty good week that first week. My neighbor (yeah the one who keeps bailing me out of trouble) took me out for breakfast. I had breakfast with another friend the second day; I went shopping; I got some work done around the house; I was able to think clearly again! And now, my son has been home for a whole week with nothing to do.
Does this seem ironic to anyone else? I mean it took me weeks to accept the fact that he is growing up and it was inevitable that he would leave me. Now one week later, he is home again!!! What is going on here? Maybe God knew he needed a little more mommy love; maybe God knew that I wasn't as ready as I thought; or maybe God is just up there laughing. The only thing I do know is that God will be with me through every step of the way. God is there whispering encouragement to me through good-byes and sick days too. I pray that you will hear God's encouragement in your life no matter what irony you might find in your day.
1 comment:
Yes, I think God does get a lot of good laughs out of our scurrying around - guess that tells me that I, too, should be getting some good laughs out of the silly mistakes I make, and maybe, just maybe, doing a little less scurrying and a little more trusting Him.
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