I had a writing deadline coming up, so I was working on the computer while my two-year-old daughter watched a (very educational, not at all mindless, I’m sure) show on Netflix.
I just needed a few minutes. A few minutes to finish this project, submit it, and be done.
Just a few minutes. That’s all.
But, as they tend to do, a few minutes became fifteen, and fifteen became thirty.
Suddenly, two little hands began to close my laptop. Before I could snap at her about not touching Mommy’s computer, her sweet eyes connected with mine, and she asked the question that ripped my heart in two.
“Can you talk to me, Mommy?”
All I’ve ever wanted to be is a momma. I guess that’s not totally true – there are plenty of other things I’ve wanted to be. But a momma? Well, that’s always been at the top of the list.
But motherhood is hard. Harder than they tell you it’s going to be. There is no instant gratification, no awards at the end of the year, no pats on the back. Our trophies are dirty diapers, accompanied trips to the bathroom, and sleepless nights.
Every day, we are pulled in so many different directions, we can’t keep track of all the things we are supposed to do. Dishes, laundry, chores, meals, diapers, discipline, naptimes, nursing, playdates, reading, and more.
Not to mention nurturing your marriage. And keeping up with whatever at-home or out-of-the-home job you might have.
It’s overwhelming, all the things we are supposed to do.
Is it all necessary?
I’m learning that motherhood simply may not be the time to pursue all of my “supposed to’s” at once.
I’m a mom. And after my relationship with Jesus and my relationship with my husband, my relationship with my kids takes top priority.
They are my purpose right now. They are my mission.
End of story.
I think sometimes, it’s easy to forget that I wanted this. That the mommy bones in my body ached to hold babies and shape their lives and make a difference.
Hard? Yes. It is impossibly hard.
But oh, what a sweet privilege. What an honor, what a gift (!) to have been blessed with these lives in my care.
I don’t want to forget that. I don’t want to look back on my life in twenty years and realize that I wasted the precious time I had with them by living in a state of perpetual distraction. I don’t want to be ruled by all of my “supposed to’s”; I want
to walk in Truth, with a purpose.
I set down my computer, picked her up, and covered her in kisses.
“Yes, sweetie. Mommy can talk to you. In fact, Mommy would love to talk to you.”
And her eyes lit up and changed my steps for good.
Distractions will come. The urgent will threaten to crowd out the important. I will be pulled in a million different directions and have a zillion choices to make in a very limited amount of time.
But despite the realities of life, I want to be an Undivided Mom. I want my kids to know that I want to be their mom. I want them to know they are loved and valued. I want to teach them who Jesus is, not just in my words, but through my actions. I want my kids to know that there is nothing on this earth that I would choose over them.
I want to live with a purpose, a passion. Focused and effective, not distracted and scattered.
On my own, I know it’s impossible. But with Him? All is possible.
Mommas, we can look through the chaos to find Christ in the midst of the everyday. He’s there, ready to strengthen and fill us to be moms that live out grace and purpose in the lives of our children. Moms that speak the Gospel and bring truth
into our home. Moms that make a difference.
Undivided Moms.
The post above is an excerpt from Kayse Pratt’s new eBook, Undivided
Mom! It’s a 14-day devotional for moms who feel distracted, pulled in a
million different directions, and really just desperately need Jesus to keep them from losing their ever-loving minds. It’s about mothering with a vision, with a purpose, for His glory, and through His strength.
This is a book for anyone who is longing to find a glimpse of Christ in the chaos of everyday motherhood.
It’s for you. For me. For all of us.
CLICK HERE to check out Undivided Mom and grab your copy now! Use the code UMSPECIAL20 to receive 20% off of ALL of the eBooks in Kayse’s store! You can also buy Undivided Mom on Amazon.
Kayse Pratt is a teacher turned stay-at-home mom, married to her favorite musician. She is passionate about the Truth and has a heart to encourage women who are quietly struggling in their faith. Relatable and witty, Kayse writes in a genuine way that both endears and entertains. Kayse writes about faith, family, and real life on her blog, kaysepratt.com. Additionally, Kayse is the founder of SimplyDevoted Ministries, a contributing author for Allume, and serves as a leader for (in)courage Community Groups.
Kayse would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest!
11 Comments
So good! Thanks for the reminder! <3
This is such a good point… and it is also so hard to do. Most Moms are handling multiple things at once, and the dawn of the smartphone hasn’t made it any easier to be “undivided.” But even years ago, I remember my Mother pointing out how many children are overlooked/ignored, most of the time not in a mean-spirited way, just because Mom is busy.
Oh, I remember feeling this way when my boys were little. They are 21 and 18 now, and I still strive to pay undivided attention to them when they are around (within reason, of course!). They don’t ‘need’ me as much as they did when they were little. My daughter, who is only 12, has benefitted from me seeing how quickly her older brothers grew up and I have done a better job not being as distracted. However, there is always room for improvement! Time just goes so fast.
{Kathy} Julie, I have older ones too. If only we could have had conversations with ourselves when the kids were younger! Distraction is my number one downfall as a mom. I will always struggle to be present and undivided.
I remember feeling this way when my children were little. It’s so hard because we do have that long “to do” list. I often see children being set aside as adults are tending to other things. Its all about balance, but as we know, balance isn’t easy. Words of encouragement and a spiritual perspective on priorities can be a lifeline!
That sounds like a great devotional! I know there are days when I’m definitely divided, and, little by little, God is changing me in that regard to be more focused on where it is important – on Him and my family first of all. Yes, my blogs have taken a hit, yes, I have little time for “me time”, but my heart feels better through it all. I can smile and know that I am where I should be, doing what I was meant to do – being a mom – and all is right with the world…even if not everyone else gets it. God is giving me peace, even in this, and joy, too…and I am blessed! 🙂
I love this!!!! It fits perfectly with every mom living in this distracted world we live in. I must get it. What a beautiful gift for any mom it would be. We all struggle with this very issue so much.
This book looks wonderful. I always said I’d never be “that parent” – the one ignoring their parents in public. And generally I’m not. However, my two minutes at the computer often become 45 minutes. Even as I type this comment, a sweet one-year-old voice is calling for “Mama.”
I have to go answer his call.
Love this excerpt too! Can’t wait to read the whole thing:)
It’s already in my reading queue. I can’t wait to read it. I’ve followed Kayse’s blog for quite some time and she is always full of encouragement and truth. Love her.
This book does look like a great read. And it is true, we must place our priorities right, our children will not remain children for ever so we must make their childhoods memorable and also show them how to parent their own children.