Truth for Today

Discouraging Thought: I did not sign up for this.

Encouraging Truth: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
          rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
          and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28, 29

Loving Instruction: "Cast your burden on the Lord . . . " - Psalm 55:22a

Our Reward: ". . . and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved."
          - Psalm 55:22b

I really hope I'm not the only mama who has ever felt like saying out loud "Well, this wasn't in the parenting books." and "I did not sign up for this." Tonight has  been one of those nights. After assembling a bookshelf, folding laundry, paying bills, and doing some cleaning/organizing, my back was pretty much shot. (I realize I overdid it on the physical activities today, but nesting always comes very early for me.) Then I hear my 12 month old baby crying. Not a normal cry, a coughing, choking cry. Going in to check on him, I could smell the problem before I could see it. Puke. Everywhere. And hubby is at work. So I try to bend sideways into the crib, trying not to seriously squish my other baby, straining to lift my sopping son from his bed. While I run to the tub so as to catch any remaining puke, I go through the game plan in my head: strip baby, wipe down baby, redress baby, change sheets. By myself. While a sick baby cries, not wanting to be put down. I start crying to Jesus. Lord, you know my back is killing me and I can't bend over the tub to completely bathe my son. You know I can't bend over the crib all the way easily. You know I am exhausted. You know I am alone. And then I felt an answer in multiple little ways that are huge blessings when you have a puking baby. I had just folded laundry, still laying on the couch, a clean sleeper and sheets just waiting to be grabbed. The mess had stayed contained to not just the crib, but only the parts of the crib sheet that were on top of the waterproof pad. My baby didn't need a full bath, just his hands and mouth washed off. Only one of the two blankets he normally sleeps with got dirty. So an hour later, when the situation repeated itself, I rejoiced in the fact that I'm not alone, that God hears my insignificant prayers about an aching back and a puky baby. He will sustain me. He will give me rest.