Ministry and Mommyhood

Matthew isn't super into writing, and this one is about balancing work/life balance for moms, so take a guess as to who is writing!

As I sit here, I've got dinner thawing, a baby sleeping, a diaper bag half packed for tomorrow, clean clothes on the floor waiting to be folded (don't judge), a husband on the way home from work, and a mountain of work waiting for me when I get back tomorrow. I'm trying hard not to think too much about what I've got tomorrow, and that's where this post is leading.

I am called to ministry- and I've know it since junior high. I am so blessed to have a husband who understands and supports me in this call, and the opportunity to serve God "part time" as an educational minister in a local church. Being part time means that I can be at home to take care of our daughter and manage our household while still being able to serve God in the manner that he has called me.

My vocation is a demanding one- strange hours, working until the job is done, maintaining confidentiality, coordinating volunteers, lots of meetings, planning large events, evaluating curriculum, finding and equipping leaders, etc. I love that God has given me this opportunity to serve Him, I love that every day is something new, and I love that I get to use my gifts and grow and stretch myself and hopefully instill in others a deeper love and understanding of God. The problem comes in when you go from those huge, often lofty heights of debating faith development and implementation of events and programs to changing dirty diapers and singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" fifteen times in an hour. It can be hard to handle the huge mental shift.

I am still a new first time mom, and I know I will find a balance at some point, but right now it is tough. I want to give my all to my vocation calling of educational ministry, and I want to give my all to my personal callings of wife and mommy. I want to be the best- at everything. But how to manage the transition from work to home is my current dilemma. I don't know that there is an answer except time, prayer, and practice. And I know this is not a new problem. Women have been wondering how to balance all of their roles since the start of time I believe (what, you thought this problem was new to modern working moms? I don't believe so- can you imagine what a frontier woman had to do in a day- help her husband work the land, run the house, put food on the table, make clothes, and educate and entertain her children- I don't know where they found the time!). I do believe it will get easier and that I will get better at it. In the mean time I'll continue to have discussions with myself in the car on the way home from church on the way to pick up my daughter about what I have to do tomorrow at work and what I have to do once I get home. Because my daughter loves me and needs my full attention, and what God has called me to, He will equip me for. Even if it is giving me the patience sing that silly "Itsy Bitsy Spider" song just one more time.