I cringe thinking about when people used to tell me - “I don’t know how you do it all” because the truth is – I wasn’t. I was failing.
I’m reminded of the story of Martha and Mary – Martha was stressed out trying to do all things, getting mad at Mary for just sitting around with Jesus. Martha’s annoyed because she’s putting in all the effort and the only one that seems truly happy is lazy Mary!
Martha was putting on a great show, was doing all the things to be a perfect host – but she was striving and surviving – while Mary was sitting and thriving.
Hi, my name is Veronica and for the past 2 years I’ve been a Martha.
I put on a great show – people saw this supermom persona I had put on of being able to juggle 3 kids all-star sport schedules, 5 teams, travel and competitions, extra practices – all while working and managing to get to them to school on time. And I did it – but not without a cost…
Here is what you didn’t see:
Eating dinner in the car.
Getting to the end of the week and feeling like I hadn’t seen my son at all.
Not going to church in over a year.
The yelling over homework. Then crying because we were up until 10pm still working.
Not being able to attend a single friend’s birthday party.
The depression and anxiety attacks.
I could keep going but I’m trying to stay under a certain character count…
Not as glamorous as I made it look, is it?
I was surviving – not thriving. I was striving – not sitting.
In a chaotic world it’s easy to get consumed by all the things we need to do, when all we really need to do to find true happiness and peace is sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him.
How do I spend my evenings now?
Well – we still do some classes, but mostly its…
Reading Dogman on the couch
Playing an intense game of Rummikub
Teaching my kids how to cook
Watching some classic 90s movies – Free Willy anyone?
And not checking the time.
Please don’t misunderstand – there were many good things about that life, NOTHING brings me more joy than to see my kids do their thing – but there is a line and I crossed it. We can do sports without sacrificing our family.
If becoming more for your family means doing less – it’s ok to take a seat.
Your Mom - V
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