Small Opportunities for Big Moments

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa 

It’s so easy to feel like a failure as a mom. To give in to the trap of comparison. To feel frustrated by the mundane. To be discouraged by the limited number of hours in the day and how there never seems to be any leftover. Out of time, out of patience, out of energy, out of money. 

Mother’s Day was last Sunday and I had reasonable expectations. We would go to church in the morning and as long as I didn’t have to cook dinner that night, I would have been happy. It was such a rowdy morning though, the day was sideways before we were even out of bed. I was so busy wrestling kids that when it was time to leave for church, I was still in my pajamas. I had not even brushed my teeth yet. Brett ended up taking the girls and I stayed home with the baby.

Frustrated, I sat in the recliner with George and fed him a bottle. As soon as the bottle was empty, he closed his eyes and fell asleep in my arms. I soaked in the snuggly warm sweetness of my sleeping baby-about to be a toddler. Soft breath. Long eyelashes. Curly hair from the cozy nap-sweat. Before long I realized I was given the best Mother’s Day present I didn’t even know I needed. Because he was the fourth baby, George and I have not had many quiet, solitary moments like that and it was a nap I will cherish. It was a small thing full of great love.

John 6:1-15 told the story of Jesus feeding the multitude. A young boy gave Jesus 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Jesus took it, gave thanks to God, and then 5,000 people ate until they were full. The bread and fish were a small offering but were given freely and in faith. Jesus took them, gave thanks to God, and then multiplied them. He performed a miracle in great love. All the boy had to do was provide what he had available, nothing more. Jesus did the rest. 

I’ve realized that this is an incredibly freeing example for motherhood. As a human being, the very best I have to offer will never be enough. The answer isn’t to hustle harder or dig deeper. It is to offer what I have, with faith and love, and let God do the rest.

Me (hands Jesus a basket): Here is my last slice of patience, the only bar of energy in the cupboard, two full jars of fun ideas, and a half a cup of time. This is all I have to give, but gosh, I love those knuckleheads so stinking much. Please take it and use it however you think is best.

Jesus: Absolutely! I love those kids so much-even more than you do. And you too for that matter! Thanks be to God, everyone is going to have full hearts.

As a side note, I was ironically in a cleaning frenzy earlier this week and trashed multiple pieces of preschool “artwork” inspired by the loaves and fishes story. I felt compelled to dig through the recycle bin this afternoon (in the rain) and was able to recover this one.