Today I woke up grumpy.
There are only ten days of rifle season remaining and I have yet to fill my buck tag. I’d really like to be out hunting right now, but #tinytotsathome.
Of course the kids will always come first. Of course their needs are more important than my wants, and they won’t be little forever. But I can’t help wishing for mornings when I could sleep past 7:00 if I want to, and the flexibility to do something spontaneous with the hubs or go hunting for longer than just a few hours at a time (and not just on the weekend). I can’t help feeling a little sorry for myself sometimes, but I’m probably not the only parent longing for the time and means to do everything that used to be possible during the pre-kid era.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season. . .” It’s when those seasons seemingly collide that things can get tricky. Like when you’re going through a season of grief and everyone around you is ringing in the holiday season all merry and bright. Or you’re experiencing a period of renewal, but the depressing gray of winter threatens to chill the warmth of hope. Thank God that He added the part about making “everything beautiful in His time” (Eccl. 3:11).
Right now I’m in a season of keeping toddlers fed, loved, and entertained, of patiently helping them with everything from teeth-brushing to coat-zipping; a season of limited hunting. And I’m okay with that, grump face notwithstanding. My heart is happy because sparkling teeth and zipped-up kiddos are their own kind of beautiful. And you may not see it, but my soul is smiling with the assurance of beauty to come.
Photo credit: Cindy Mae Jessop 3/14 Photography