You Just Do It

I am often asked the question, “How do you do it?”  Most of the time it is in reflection of my chaotic life;  Mama of 4, part-time employee, pastor’s wife, etc.  But that’s just it, we all of those moms we look at and say, “How do you do it?”

I ask the same question when I see a mama with twin babies,  a full-time working mama, a mom with 4+ kids who also home-schools them, let’s just say any mama who is juggling multiple things…which is all mothers.

Our weary faces, and tired eyes gently say…”You just do it!”  I learned this phrase from my own mama.  Mother to 3, employee, caregiver to many children in addition to her own,  etc.  I don’t know how many times I’ve looked at my mom in sheer exhaustion, tears in my eyes and said, “Mom, how did you do it?” With her emphatic eyes she responds, “You just do it.”

There are many wise phrases my mom has spoken to me in my lifetime that I cling to.  But in this moment, when I am exhausted, frustrated, and so sick and tired of stepping on Legos, I hear my mother’s gentle voice in my mind say, “You just do it.” 

Those words bring me comfort.  I know my mother, as well as many mothers before me and many beside and those to come, have all stepped on those dumb Lego pieces.  We all have mountains of laundry to fold, nasty toothpaste sinks to clean, curdled milk sippy cups to wash, math homework to help with that we have no clue how to explain and “we just do it”. 

There isn’t anything magical in the phrase, it’s just comforting knowing I too can get through this. 

Yes, we love our families.  Yes, we love our careers.  Yes, we do love fresh shaven legs, but whose got time for that, am I right ladies?!

In these tender, depleted moments I hear a few more phrases that comfort me deep within my soul…

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~Matthew 11:29

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” ~1Peter 5:7

 “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience... Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.”  ~Colossians 3:12-15

To my dear fellow mamas, as we herd those kids to school or basketball practice or church or wherever, let us bind together in perfect harmony and love each other.   Let us support and care just as Christ does for us.

Hang in there ladies.  “You just do it” because Jesus gives us the power to keep moving forward.