Want to Remember

There are moments when I am going through the tough times of being a parent to a toddler and a pre-tween child that I think....oh, I have to remember how this feels.  I have to remember how it feels to be in the trenches.  I have to remember how it feels to hear those words, "Enjoy the moment for this will soon be gone" when all you really want to do is scream at the top of your lungs.  I have to remember how it feels to be a wife, but not really connecting to your husband because by the time the kids are settled for the evening and everything is done you want nothing to do with anyone, let alone your spouse.  I want to remember.

You see, work, and the need for it, took us miles away from family.  Miles away from the free babysitters.  Miles away from a break.  I need to remember.  When my kids are grown, I pray God allows me to remember the feeling so that I can be a help to a couple, or a momma, or a daddy who needs a break.  Who needs a moment of silence.  Who may need to go to the grocery store without a child tugging on them.  Who may just need to lay in their spouses arm and sleep.  Who may need that weekend to have intimacy because they don't ever get it.  Who may need that encouragement to hang on when days get hellish.  Who may need that hug while they scream and cry.  Who may need that meal dropped at the door step without anything being expected in return.  I want to remember.  

You see, just because you are frustrated doesn't make you a bad mom.  Just because you have moments that you want to quit, doesn't mean you don't love your child(ren).  Just because you have moments when you want to run away for an hour, doesn't make you evil.  It makes you human.  It's real life.  Anyone who doesn't admit that, well, I'm sorry for them. 

I love my kids. I would take a bullet for them.  I would do anything for them.  I would walk on hot coals all day and night if I had to.  I would sleep outside in the freezing cold and beg for food if I had to.  But, that doesn't mean that I won't have days where I want to run away and hide.  It doesn't mean I am strong all the time.  I'm broken.  I'm torn.  I'm bleeding and not sure when the healing will begin, but, I know this...I NEED TO REMEMBER THIS.  

So friends.....take this from me.....give love to a momma of young kiddos.  You never know when you will be her lifeline.