Cinderella Mom

Monday again, even for her can be hard. This wife and momma wears her ragged yoga pants and old sweatshirts, like a modern-day Cinderella girl.  Her once done hair, is now 5 days old and is falling out of her messy bun, drifting off low and to the side.  Her face unwashed and teeth not yet brushed.  The mundane of Monday sets in again, as this Cinderella momma has done heaps of chores, sorted oodles of laundry and washed every Buzz Light Year and Jake sippy cup her family owned.  

And today, even though it’s Monday and even though it’s February, she breaks from the days tasks to beckon her children outside. It’s not often Winter relents to Spring, but because it does today, she brings them out into the sunshine. The older two wear socks only, the belly of the youngest babe hangs well out her shirt. The new pants of the oldest are already ripped.  The yard is littered with old garage sale toys.  The lawn is overgrown and wild and in need of some tender care, the weeds of her flowerbeds begin to awake, but today she lays down her Cinderella self.  She sits in the old rickety wicker lawn chair and basks in the sunshine unsure of why it actually feels warm and no wind can be felt. 

She’s propped in her seat, drawn into the action of her children like a good book or an enticing movie.  There on the old playset, they are playing with each other immune to the fact she lovingly watches them play.  The breathless giggles as the youngest holds tightly to her pacifier, while the sounds of her excitement exhale.  The brothers giggle ferociously as they push each other and tackle each other down the slide.  Careful not to hurt each other they all delight in the company of the other two. They take turns throwing their head backs, playing peekaboo and losing them self in the moment, like children do when they have no agenda, no list, and no care in the world.

Without a doubt, this Cinderella mom’s heart is filled with joy, not sure where she’s really receiving the warmth, from the sun or from the giggles of her three little loves?  Surely, today is a gift.  A sweet, beautiful present from the Giver Himself.  She can’t help but think a year ago, she wrestled and wagered, wondered and prayed whether she should give up her classroom for them. It seems so silly and trite now. But it was something she loved, and an income this family needed.  But she sacrificed herself for her family, believing it was in the best interest of them she stay home, unsure of how the Giver would provide.

But she sits her today, realizing full well her Giver has provided, not only financially, but for her soul. She cannot deny that she is still reeling in gifts from that one act of faith, that moment of surrender, that point in which she laid down her desires for those she loved most nearly a year ago.   A smile quickly and quietly comes across her face as she is reminded that a day like today, a Monday, an ordinary February day, is the thought that Jesus blesses obedience. She tucks this feeling inside for future times when her faith will yet again be tested, as a reminder God’s ways are better than hers, and when she listens to Him, her heart, her soul is so very deeply satisfied.

#raisingchickensandchildren

#todayisagift

#Godblessesobedience

#benaiahgrey
#boazgraham
#keziahkate