I knew he had filled his diaper but I was crossing my fingers that we could make it through the service. He seemed to be drifting to sleep in my lap and my busy toddler had settled into the car seat on the floor. Maybe I would be able to hear the sermon after all! The warmth oozing across my lap dashed my hopes. I lifted him up and saw yellow down my dress. I quickly packed us up and headed to the restroom where I began the long process of giving my squalling infant a full body wipe down while my oldest made sure the toddler didn’t splash in any of the toilets.

All in all it didn’t ruin my day. My mom friends and I got a good laugh out of it and I really was so thankful I had worn a yellow dress. I also applauded my diaper bag packing skills because I had everything I needed (aside from a change of clothes for myself). And best of all, it makes for a GREAT story. Most extreme situations caused by young children do that. But I still felt frazzled and that got me to thinking.

For some time God has been showing me that this season of motherhood is a season of rest and the big blow out drove that lesson home. Life with young children doesn’t seem restful: night after night of sleep deprivation; teething and screaming and more teething and more screaming and growth spurts and sleep regressions and more nights of no sleep, night terrors, meals and laundry and messes.

But it’s also a season of meandering walks, lots and lots of reading, snuggles on the couch, sleeping babies in bed, low academic pressures, TONS of reasons to celebrate, flourishing imaginations, and being able to solve almost all problems by going outside, reading a new story or blowing some bubbles. A lot of the additional stress i experience is from feeling like I have expectations to meet such as trying to keep a spotless house all day long, keeping all the social commitments, being early for every appointment, or feeling like my children need to behave around the clock because the alternative means I’m a failing mom.

But Jesus says that all who are weary and heavy laden should come to Him and He will give them rest. He doesn’t qualify His statement with “If you are” or “when you are”. He says “all who are.” I like that. Does it mean He will do my dishes or fold my laundry or take a night shift or two? Probably not. I think it means He will change my mindset to relieve it of the unnecessary expectations so I can take the days in stride. In doing so I will have the wisdom and creativity to handle the challenges that come. And I will see that a day doesn’t have to be perfect to be good; in fact, the best days might be the ones with the most challenges in them.