What if...?

I have the feeling that I might be in the busiest time of motherhood.

Our daughters are busy with pre-school and primary school. Days are filled with spelling, maths exercises, reading, learning to write and more extracurricular activities than I thought were possible.

I manage to not just handle it all, but also enjoy it. The girls are big and most of the discipline issues have been sorted out and they are a pleasure to be with.

Isak is fourteen months old, very cute and extremely friendly. He always has a smile on his face and is becoming a legend in the Woolworths lift because of it:)

And - he is very very (very!) busy! I forgot how busy a one-year-old can be! Or - is a boy just busier than a girl? He climbs on everything - chairs, beds, high cupboards, sofas, tables! Shopping is a whole experience! He stands in a trolly (the stroller became a bit boring for his taste - all that sitting) and I must keep a look out so that he doesn’t climb on the counters while I’m paying or throw my groceries out, or starts eating some grapes, or grabs some extra things :) However, all is forgiven with his smiles. I love taking him with me on coffee dates (even if I sometimes drink coffee while standing or running after Isak), shopping and other errands.

If we have an afternoon off, I take the kids with me to the gym, where Club-V keeps them busy, or we go to the park or to The Fun Room (a heavenly indoor play-room) with great coffee. There is never a dull moment (or a quiet moment!). The rest of the day, our nanny or I play with him outside, where he cannot climb on any furniture.

At the end of the day, I am exhausted, with a full, happy heart, but still exhausted.

I sometimes long for Isak to be a bit older, let’s say two or three years old, especially three years old, when they are big and not so busy anymore. Or I long for him to be just a few months older so that he can at least enjoy “Lollos” while I make dinner.

But then, I realize, what if...What if this year is our happiest year? What if this year is the last year that we are all healthy? What if something changes, and I long for this time when that something hasn’t changed yet?

We only have the now. That is the only certain thing. And that God is God and in control and with us.

I remembered what I have read in “Patriarchs and Prophets” :

“God appointed labour as a blessing to man, to occupy his mind, to strengthen his body, and to develop his faculties. In mental and physical activity, Adam found one of the highest pleasures of his holy existence.”

“The angels are diligent workers; they are the ministers of God to the children of men.”

I might be busy running after Isak and tending to our daughters’ needs, but at least my mind is occupied. And whilst I don’t always realise it, God is developing my faculties through motherhood. He is teaching me everyday to walk close to Him, so that our kids can see Him in me.

I still have time to read when Isak is asleep, to take a bath while Minah plays with Isak, to spend time with each of our daughters, to sometimes go shopping with a friend, exercise and enjoy peaceful evenings with my husband. What if the best is here and not yet to come? :)

Motherhood is my blessing.