Waves of Grace Welcome

I have not blogged in forever. It's nice to get back to it. My life lately has been full of writing material. Waves of grace welcome. Topic for today--the week--the month--the year is...being a working mom.  The world tells us we can do it all--be a mom, work, work out, stay skinny and fit, be at every game and the list goes on. Just fill in your blank. Wait, maybe it's not the world telling us we can do it all and do it perfectly, but it's ourselves. We see or easily make assumptions and believe every other working mom (or dad) is doing it perfectly. They are not loosing their temper with their child, they are at every game and on time, they can handle the stress at work and demands at home with no problem, their house is clean and their bank account has plenty. Again the list goes on. 

As I go through the week and am hit with my reality: I have forgotten about a mandatory work training after hours with no childcare, can't keep up with my child's pre-school requirements for reporting what days/times he comes and goes (I barely know), double booked patients, sink so full of dirty dishes my overflow is on the stove, waking up to dog diarrhea, unmet expectations and again the list goes on. This is just one of my weeks. But I have to stop, take a deep breathe or two and remember that it's okay. I remind myself their is no such thing as a perfect parent and I must put into practice the famous line that I'm always telling my 5 year old son, which is....'to do your best and forget the rest'. Forget according to dictionary.com is to "put out of one's mind; cease to think of or consider." Of course easier said then done. Worth reminding myself. Have to start somewhere. 

I'm my pause--breathed--I ask myself: What really counts in this life? That is a question I ask myself a lot more lately as I come face to face on a daily basis with people who are fighting cancer along with dealing with everyday life's day to day trials and tribulations. Each day I'm impressed with what people can handle and other people's life snapshots make my life snapshot look like a piece of cake. I'm reminded that your not guaranteed each day, not guaranteed your good health, job, family and the list goes on. 

I'm thankful for grace. Undeserved and unearned favor that comes from God. A God who knows our stories---the good--the bad--the ugly, but loves us the same. The catch is that we have to believe it and accept it. Easier said then done. 

"Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son!"(Ephesians 1:6)

As a working parent I want to say thanks to my Mom and Dad for the love, sacrifices, sleepless nights and money spent on raising me. Parenting is the hardest job you will ever do and now more than ever I appreciate and have a glimpse of your world. It is hard. Worth it, but hard. 

I welcome waves of grace and pray I learn to let the waves wash over me more often than not. It's a journey. Life that is. Parenting. Being a working mom (or dad). Until next time.