Finding Blessings in the Crazy
About four years ago, something strange happened to me. It snuck up around the time I got pregnant and took over, and it really shows no signs of stopping. I’m talking about the mom brain. In its weakest moments it leaves me searching for my phone for 20 minutes when I JUST PUT IT DOWN! In its full strength it has me staring at the cashier’s inquisitive look as I repeat back to her in painfully slow bewilderment what she just asked me. “Do……. I….. want…..a…….bag???”
As silly as it is, there have been a few times, when I get tired of having no idea what meal I am feeding my children at the moment. I’m fairly certain from 18 months to 2 1/2 years of my daughter’s life I had completely messed up her definition of the words “lunch” and “dinner”. There have been times when I was trying to add up when the next bottle feeding should be and struggling so hard, that my head thinks, “How did I even take calculus?!”
With each child, it just seems to get worse. I fell into the lie before my second child was born that I would be able to know everything I was doing, but unfortunately the million and one things that happened since my daughter was a newborn seemed to block out some memories, and it was like I was learning over again. When do they nap now? How many naps? Do I wake her up early? How many ounces does he eat? How did we fix this last time? Sigh.
Lately though, I’ve been thinking about this fact of life, and here are some the things I am so thankful for that comes along with the craziness that is mom brain.
Mom brain brings humility
Look through God’s Word, and there is never a time when being humble is a bad thing. Our own Savior was the ultimate picture of humility! Mom brain brings us back to the reality of our brokenness- and therefore gives even MORE glory to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” Verse 31 goes on to say, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” So the next time when my husband finds the milk in the fridge without a lid on it, (after I chuckle for a while) let me use it as an opportunity to praise the Lord who sustains me, to boast in the energy and grace he gives me each day- because I can’t do it with my own flesh.
Mom brain brings fellowship
I am so thankful for the relationships I have been blessed with in the godly women I know. One thing I have realized as we talk about our kids and ask questions is- that it doesn’t really end. I’ve got two kids, but I regularly ask my friend with one kid all kinds of questions, and I’ve shared my experiences with moms of more children than I even have. We forget so much about schedules, tips, toys at that age, etc. etc While we could complain about our lack of memory, we can also see it as a great opportunity to build relationships, to encourage, and help other moms- however many number of kids they have.
Mom brain blesses us again and again
I have two children within 23 months of each other. Even with that short of an age difference, I find myself forgetting so much. I forget the amazing feeling it is when I casually mention it’s time to brush teeth, and my 11 month old son starts walking to the bathroom. Amidst the craziness of the day, my lack of sleep, and endless projects- I’d forgotten what it is like to see a child start to understand speech, and give meaning to words. I forget how miraculous it is to see a smile for the first time, or watch my child beam with pride as he learns how to shake his head. I forget in the busyness of life just how much fun it is to have a tickle fight with my oldest daughter or to run around and play tag with her. What a great little blessing in disguise to get to experience so many of the things we’ve forgotten again with our little ones!
So next time you scowl at yourself because you poured yourself a plate of water (true story!), maybe these few little points can help give us something to thank the Lord for (after you crack up at yourself, of course).
