Motherhood, especially in the early years, is often made up of the same, long, repeating routine. You do the same things over and over, and everything you do is often undone right away! You sometimes don’t feel like you are making progress–just like painting dot after dot, most often with a lack of sleep that distorts your view, too. 

1. Newborn: Feed, diaper, feed, diaper, cuddle. Try to wash clothes. Feed, diaper, feed. Try to make dinner. Try to sleep. Feed, diaper, feed, diaper, cuddle. Repeat.
2. Toddler: Feed, diaper, try to potty train. Feed, pick up toys, pick up Cheerios off the floor, feed, clean up potty training “mistake,” feed. Try to wash clothes. Feed, clean up potty “training” mess. Diaper. Feed, try to potty train. Wipe up PB & J from cell phone.

Oh, now here comes a newborn again, too. A Blessing!! Refer to “A” above, while simultaneously attempting “B.”

Feed, read a book. Try to make dinner. Discipline, feed, Keep toddler from picking up newborn. Feed, diaper. Commas are very important. Try to make dinner. Hey, I thought the “Baby Einstein” videos were supposed to make my kid be able to do Algebra by age 3! Stop toddler from licking the TV. Try to potty train. Again. Diaper again. Decide to wait until perhaps high school to try to potty train again. Feed. Try to make dinner. Discipline. Read a book–the same book–37 times. Keep toddler from feeding Cheerios to newborn. Wash jelly from face. And also from toddler’s face. And from newborn’s face. Feed, diaper. I really should do that exercise video on that website I paid for. You know, those little baby finger food puff things don’t taste too bad! Feed. Keep toddler from changing newborn’s diaper. Try to wash clothes.

What is all of this for? Will I ever get ahead? Will I ever even be caught up?

This seemingly endless, day-to-day stuff can feel very defeating. You look up one day, see the toys on the floor, the unfolded laundry on the couch, the fruit snacks stuck to the carpet, and the sippy cup upside down under the coffee table–which now This contains a yellow, sour-smelling, gaseous curds-and-whey-type substance (I wondered where that had got to–should I just throw it away?), and you think:

Am I wasting my life?

Ok, Mom. Right now, stop what you are doing, and back up.

Back up.

Right now, step away from that canvas and just look at the beginning stages of this beautiful masterpiece you are making. Step away from the canvas and look into the eyes of this sweet little creature you are called to love. This little one is growing and learning and thriving because you are feeding and teaching and giving.

And don’t forget to enjoy the creative process, instead of getting discouraged by the day-to-day treadmill and that paralyzing feeling that you are failing. If you are doing your best to love your children, you are not failing! You are kissing and hugging, teaching and disciplining, feeding and helping, and nurturing and guiding this little person that God has entrusted to your care.

 Like paintings that are made of individual brush strokes, a mother’s daily faithfulness in the mundane tasks of everyday life are those dots and strokes that make up the artistic masterpiece of her child’s life.

Right now, you have to keep going back to reload your brush for each stroke. It seems like that’s all you are doing, day in and day out. Where’s the progress? It doesn’t feel right now like you are accomplishing anything. Some days, at the end of the day, it feels like all you did was stay afloat, barely. I get that. I know.

One particularly weary day, I was at Wal Mart pushing my full cart through the store with a baby, a toddler, and a 5 year old. This older lady came up to me and admired all of my beautiful girls. Then she put her hand on my shoulder, looked me right in the eye, and said, “Honey, you cherish these moments. They will be over before you know it.” I will never forget the breath of fresh air and encouragement this life-giving reminder was to me as a young, tired mother. This dear woman gave me the momentum to keep pressing on, knowing that “The days are long, but the years are short.” Many times over the years I have remembered her timely words (Proverbs 21:11).

 I’m at a stage in my motherhood where I think I can say these same words to you, dear mother who is working next to me in the trenches (because it is never over). I have begun to experience the joy of being able to back up and see the beauty in the lives that, with God’s strength, I have helped to shape. All 6 of my kids are adults, now,  and I’m even seeing some precious grandkids now!!! So I think I have the right to say this now to you:

It is worth it. Every minute of it. And, before you are ready for it to be over, it will be over.

God does have good plans for those who trust in Him. And, even though the following promises were specifically stated to Israel, I have held on to these two verses in my own life because they describe some of the the character of the God I know:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

He has good plans for me. And for you, too. And for our kids. And, most touching of all, he cares for his beloved ones who are raising little ones: the ones like you who are just trying to keep up right now:

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

So, Mom, keep painting.

Reload your brush, and carefully, with much prayer and fear of the Lord, place each brush stroke where it belongs. And, remember, when you don’t know where strokes are supposed to go, look to God’s Word for guidance and strength and direction. He will never fail you, and He is the source of all wisdom, endurance, love, strength, direction, hope, and help.You might even make some mistakes along the way, too.  But know that he cares for those who are raising little children, and he has great plans for you.