Today I was sitting at my house, holding my screaming child, while my sister read me an email that our mom had sent us. I had actually read it in a "speedy" fashion yesterday, but David started crying halfway through, so I never finished. It was an email about reducing stress as a Christian. It listed about 30 different ways like laughing, being kind to an unkind person, talking less and listening more, sitting on your ego, etc. The very last point on the email caught my attention.
It said:
"Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before."
Wow...It's strange, but true. The first thing that came to my mind were minutes. Yes, minutes, like on the clock. I actually said it outloud to my sister and she looked at me like I was crazy. I guess I would have done the same thing seven weeks ago...before I had David.
I have come to realize that time is SO precious. I love the time I am able to spend with David. I love the time I am able to spend with Matthew. I love the time I am able to spend with my family, friends, and of course, I can't leave him out...Shot (my dog). BUT...I LOVE the time I am able to spend with myself. I have so many thoughts that go through my head. So many things I want to do, want to say, people I want to call, books I want to read, places I want to go. The key word in all of these is "WANT." I don't really get to do that, any of it anymore. Don't get me wrong... this isn't a "feel sorry for Jessica" blog. I have come to realize that "minutes" are a precious thing. When David finally falls asleep in the morning, after I have fed him, I literally have minutes to get done what I need to get done. It may be just a record fast shower, or going to the bathroom, or fixing my breakfast, responding to an email, paying a bill, or just closing my eyes. Those minutes are the most wonderful thing in the world. Tonight I am going to thank God for providing minutes to moms. :)
Thank you Lord!
7 comments:
Jessica,
i cannot even begin to imagine, but I know you are doing a great job as a new mom, and I love your honesty about it. david is soooo cute!!! love all the pics! Glad you are both doing well.
Jessica, I always love connecting with a another sister in Christ and I am always amazed how he provides these relationships... whether from school, church, random happening such as blogs and shared Nicu experiences. It is so neat to reflect and wonder if we had been friends in high school would we praising God together.. probably not because I didn't understand His goodness and grace back then.
Minutes... so precious. I TOTALLY know what you mean. I kindof hit my "wall" two days ago when after a day of feeding, changing, pumping, and watching the clock to know when it started again. I explained to Nick that I needed to do more for myself. Not showering or brushing my teeth till 3 pm was beginning to wear on me. and not being able to exercise has been really really uncomfortable. So the three of us made a trip to target and i bought a couple of exercise DVDs. After the 8 feeding now I clean the house then after the 11 am I do an exercise routine. This helps me feel more productive towards myself in an otherwise selfless day. Keep up the good work!
having a baby is such an adjustment...but what a wonderful adjustment! it totally changes your life for the good. i completely understand how you feel though! it gets easier in some ways and harder in others as they get older. it makes you thankful for every minute though!
an amazing coincidence...yesterday i decided to make myself think of 5 things i was thankful for every time i got "down." i must have had to come up with 50 things yesterday but today has been easier! what a blessing it is to realize how blessed we are!
one of the best things for me has been to have mom friends that are just enough ahead of me w/ their child that i can ask them questions (and get up-to-date opinions!). pleeeeeease let me know if i can help you in any way! i sure dont have all (or many) of the answers, but it's such a comfort to be reinforced by people who love you and understand.
i know david thinks you're the best mom ever and i know you're doing an amazing job!!! big hugs to your sweet family!
Amen!
This is a sweet blog. I appreciate every minute I get....especially every minute of sleep that I'm blessed with.
It's funny to think that just a "few" years ago you were teaching me in cheer camp and now you're married and a MOTHER! I appreciate your gratefulness of 'time.' It is so precious and the easiest gift to give someone or something. Best wishes with baby David!
Oh Jess, I relate to that SOOO well. We are actually on vacation right now. The first time we have left both girls since Mary Aplin was born, and I am feeling GUILTY about all of my minutes...my days revolving around me and whatever in the heck I feel like doing. Hang in there! You'll get more minutes before you know it. And they are more precious than ever before because you appreciate them.
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