Hasn’t this been a year? Yeah, you could say that again! It has been a year for moms like none other. As a mother and grandmother, I have seen the weariness on their faces, heard it in their voices, and frustration in their comments. My hat is off to moms who have tried to adapt to this Coronavirus pandemic and what it’s done to their family life and especially their children. And if you’re a working mom having to work from home, well, you’re a saint in my book. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has had to adapt and yes, make sacrifices, to keep peace in the home, hot meals on the table, clean sheets on the bed, and be a dr/nurse/playmate/teacher/cook –a what’s ever needed to their children.
My youngest turned 39 yesterday, so I’m way past most of you ladies now that I’m almost 70. As the oldest girl of 9 children, I had the benefit/blessing of being raised by a mom who knew how to organize and “line us up” to get things done. I’ll never forget her wisdom when I had my first child: “Mary, be prepared for the witching hour ’cause it will happen every night when you’re out of energy and done for the day. You’ll need to get a second wind.” All moms know what I mean–that fussy period in babies that starts about 5 o’clock when it’s time to get dinner on and yes, it lasts through dinner, through dishes, and through homework if you have older children.
Let’s Give Them a Hand & a Prayer
Sunday I did sheets and towels for one of my daughter-in-laws and yesterday, I dropped off some Costco frozen meals for a single mom of 4. Yes, I have the energy and time to do practical things. BUT, I believe the most significant thing I can do is the commitment I made yesterday to pray for moms and children at 5PM for 5 minutes. I’ve set my phone alarm to remind me. I’d like to put a challenge “out there” to any who read this. They need us now more than ever, especially with the school year beginning.
Nana’s Nudge: Set your phone alarm for 5PM and pray 5 minutes for moms, children, and teachers.
Nana’s Songs: Joy | All Things Possible | God Bless All the Little Children
Nana’s Prayer: Father, thank You for blessing us with our children. We look to You to watch over our families. Strengthen mothers, bring Your peace into our homes, calm our fears so that we can be confident for our children. Holy Spirit, we ask for Your fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to increase in our lives. May there be a special grace given to mothers of special needs children. Amen.
I love this Mary! May I pass this on to other Nanas????
Joining you in prayer… and thank you!
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Thank you Mary. Praying for moms is a great idea. I will include them in my nightly prayers.
This is such an encouragement. I too am past the stage of having young ones at home and at times I feel so helpless. I get to do some practical things which is a great privilege and joy – but it is only a drop in the bucket – so combining with prayer is awesome! I also love learning more about you Mary. I can’t imagine growing up with as many younger siblings as you did. You turned that experience into extraordinary care for your boys and now their families. Instead of bitter of all the work you had to do as a child -you got better. Keep sharing and teaching us Mary. Your leadership is making a difference.