My girls and I have a love for a certain TV family who has been blessed with a multitude of children. They're truly precious, in my opinion. I have watched their show for a number of years and read their books. I feel like I've gleaned some great wisdom and practical advice from them.
Now I know that it's very unlikely that every minute of every day is as pretty as the episodes depict. I mean, they're real people. So I get that. However, I can't help but try to mimic that smoothness in my life. On one hand, having a role model is a healthy thing. It gives you a goal, an ideal, something to aim for. But on the other hand, it can prove to be a source of unnecessary pressure if it's not kept in check. My life will never look just like theirs for one simple reason. We lead different lives. Deep, right? That's what it boils down to, though. Just like everyone else in the world, we deal with different struggles and have different strengths.
To drive that point in, please allow me to share a little story with you. :)
This morning, after the kids and I had a successful trip to the public library, we went to the store "for just a few things". Usually when I say that, it ends up being a huge shopping trip. But today, we actually just got our few things. By the time we checked out, though, I had one little darlin on the verge of a meltdown. Stores are a challenge for him, in the first place, because the noise, lights, etc., tend to over stimulate his senses. But top that off with the fact that it was nearly lunch time and I said I wouldn't buy him the super hero sucker he wanted... Well, let's just say, we could all see how fragile the situation was. We tried to hurry along and make it to the car as quickly as possible. But it didn't work. He wailed loudly for the sucker, and louder when I told him he was going to lose video game time for not being obedient. Finally he just flat out refused to move. So really, what are your choices at that point? I did what any other self-respecting mother would do, and picked up the man child to carry him - wailing and flailing - out of the store, across the parking lot, and into our car.
It wasn't pretty. Situations like that make me thank the Lord that my life isn't a TV show. But it does occur to me most of the time that people are watching the live version anyway. Which brings me to the fun part of the story. Seriously, it's good stuff.
I was buckling the seatbelt of my little darlin when a voice from behind me startled me. She said, "Momma..." It wasn't one of my children, so I whipped around to find out who it was. There stood a sweet little lady with a compassionate face. She just simply said, "Momma, you're doing a good job." I said a confused thank you, even managed a half smile, and turned back to the seatbelt fiasco. When I turned back around, though, she was gone. After the few groceries were loaded, the basket was returned, and the car doors were closed, I felt guilty for the probable look of insanity I gave the sweet woman. I hoped that my face hadn't reflected my frustration with my child when I looked at her because I was truly thankful for the gesture. I looked all around in the parking lot, but didn't see her. Then my sister said she thought that the mystery lady had gone inside the store.
Knowing my chances of finding this one little lady in this huge store were slim, I decided to run in anyway and just see. Leaving the kids with my sister, I went in and prayed silently, "Lord, please show her to me." Sure enough, He did. She was still smiling as I walked up to her and thanked her for her encouragement. Right there next to the toothpaste, she grabbed me and hugged me. She told me that she was proud to see a mom taking care of her kids. She reminded me to never worry about people judging our situation or my methods for dealing with it. She said she is a great-grandmother now, and lost a son when he was in his early twenties. She reminded me that this is only for a season and it will be over before I know it. We stood and talked for a minute. Then she went on to shop, and I returned to my car. I have no idea who she was, but God used her to calm me and encourage me. It was just what I needed.
None of what I bought at the store today was a true necessity. But I'm so glad God had me go when He did. And I'm so thankful He put that sweet lady there and gave her the boldness to reach out to me.
So here are your take-aways from this:
1) We all deal with different struggles and have different strengths. And that's ok.
2) It's really ok to have a good, healthy role model in your life.
3) People are always watching. Be mindful of that, but don't make yourself sick over it.
4) If you feel like speaking a word of encouragement to anyone, but especially to a mom, just do it. You may feel like a weirdo, and they may look at you like you're crazy. But you never know when that's going to be just exactly what that person needed to hear in that moment.
And to the sweet mystery lady, thank you for making my day. You blessed my heart.
