This entry was originally posted on August 18, 2008.  (I’m re-creating my lost archives.)

We all know that being a mom means giving up a lot of things, and yes, we get back lots of blessings in return.  But does anyone else out there totally fail in that balancing trick between give your whole self to your job as a mother and put yourself first?  I figure it’s impossible; it’s like trying to take a shower and blow dry your hair at the same time… you’re going to get burned!  And I get the whole concept of if you don’t take care of yourself then there’s less of you to give, but exactly how does that work when even the 110% version of yourself probably isn’t enough to get it all done anyway?  (I mean, seriously, if you could see my house right now, you would laugh out loud that I’m dispensing anything remotely resembling advice or wisdom of any kind.)

The only way that I’ve been able to come to terms with this is the Christian doctrine of grace… the whole concept of  Do the very best that you can, and the Lord will make up the difference.  And let’s face it, He’s not going to step in and finish off the laundry or strike your screaming child mute for the last 5 minutes of the ride home, but I take confidence in the hope that He will let my children turn out alright anyway.  He won’t let my frequent failures and occasional disasters be the tragic flaw in my overall motherhood effort.  I believe God will overlook my shortcomings and bless my sincere efforts; He will make it all turn out as if I’d done it right in the first place.  So maybe it’s fantasy, but it gets me through… doesn’t it make you feel better too?