Friday, September 23, 2011

The fixer-uppers

Yesterday, as I was yet again dealing with a mess caused by one of the children, I was trying to figure out why taking care of children can be so wearisome even though I love them so much and would never rather do anything else. Then it hit me - as mothers, we are always the ones fixing everything, getting it back in the "right" condition.



We put ice on banged foreheads, bandage cuts, change diapers, spend half an hour super-gluing a favorite but cheap and junky toy, sweep floors, remove stains from laundry, wipe grubby faces, search for lost items, do dishes, fix hair, mend clothes, clean the house, wash little hands, wipe up spills - need I go on? And those are just the physical needs. Then we also mitigate fights, keep on top of any developing bad attitudes, correct poor habits, daily juggle everyone's particular mood and how they interact with other family members, and on and on.

If we take a look at the things we do day in, day out, we will realize how much of our work is damage control. There is not really any measurable progress, just digging in and holding our ground against ever-flowing steams of laundry, dishes, dirt, and tears. We do not often get to build new things - things that are tangible and visible. We just fix and maintain kids, clothes, the house, etc. It is work that is never seen or noticed. It's a tiring job, and often a thankless one. That is why it's wearisome, even though worthwhile. 

Luke 8:46  
And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

But, thankfully, there is someone who sees all we do. Personally, I really do take comfort in knowing that God knows, and understands, and appreciates our efforts when nobody else does.

Job 28:20-28
(20)  Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
(21)  Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
(22)  Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.
(23)  God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
(24)  For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;
(25)  To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
(26)  When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
(27)  Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
(28)  And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

That, plus there's always chocolate to fall back on...

4 comments:

  1. "There is not really any measurable progress, just digging in and holding our ground against ever-flowing steams of laundry, dishes, dirt, and tears."

    This part made me laugh, as it is so true! Many days I feel as though I'm barely holding my ground! Though what a worthwhile task we have!

    Great post Zsuzsanna! :)

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  2. I was wondering, what with being all natural in your house, as far as cooking and the microwave and all....do you make your own laundry soap? If so, can you tell us?

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  3. You could think it's a bit hypocritical of me, but it's not : your blog makes me feel like being a mother. The good and the bad parts are both admirable and you seem to manage well.

    You can be proud of yourself, without vanity, for what you are accomplishing. This is a lifetime job, and anything you teach your children, they will know for the rest of their life. This takes the less nice bits, like laundry, and cleaning, but this is why people can admire you, and every housewife.

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  4. Hi Zsuzsanna, you don't need to publish this because it has a link, but I think you might be interested in this mother who perhaps should have done a little more fixing-up:

    http://healthland.time.com/2011/09/07/should-mom-be-sued-for-bad-parenting/?iid=WBeditorspicks

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