Recently I was sitting on a plane and heard a conversation behind me that I have been thinking about for awhile. I wasn’t necessarily eaves-dropping but the plane was quiet and I happen to hear a few sentences from the row behind me that I won’t soon forget.
In the middle seat, a seasoned gentleman (from the sound of his voice) was talking to a young college student who was sitting directly behind me in the window seat. I heard him ask him about college and his classes and of course, his major. The young college boy said that he was majoring in computer science and then they chatted computer talk for awhile….which was well over my head. But at one point the younger man said that he was working on some computer certification programs that were proving to be “very, very hard.”
“Son,” the older man explained, “those certifications have always been hard and are meant to be hard. That’s what makes them worth something when you are done.”
The younger man went quiet and a few seconds later said, “I guess you are right.”
That was the end of my eaves-dropping because my mind immediately went to that older, seasoned man’s words.
They have always been hard…..that’s what makes them worth something when you are done.
And then I thought about motherhood. It’s hard. Really hard.
Laundry, dishes, meal preparation, keeping up with school work,and homework,and making sure everyone has brushed their teeth and combed their hair and is where they are supposed to be. And then add everyone’s moods and emotions into any given day and it can be so overwhelming.
Motherhood can be so exhausting….and just plain old hard work.
But then I need to remember, it’s always been hard. Motherhood wasn’t easier for our moms or grandmothers, or even great grand-mothers (in fact they probably had it harder) and it was never meant to be easy.
Because I want it to be worth something when I am done.
~Elizabeth
PS I would love to hear your thoughts on that older man’s words….I thought they were so profound.
Profound, indeed!
My mother-in-law was a workaholic. She had several reasons for holding a job outside the home while her children were young, but I think the main factor was just that she loved work. While she never openly criticized my staying at home with the boys, I expect she questioned my work ethic. So I was surprised when she announced one day that I had finally convinced her that being a mother was a full-time job. Hadn’t she noticed, through all those years of working more than full-time? (Her husband’s long hours kept him from helping out much, and my husband, the youngest child, was quite adept at weaseling out of housework.) Yes, homemaking is hard, and worth every effort.
I love the life stories you share. The wise words of an adult spoken there on the plane. 🙂 Not anything to add but I love these moments in life. Strangers making an impact, sharing, making friends, having us stop and contemplate. Your words are right on regarding motherhood.
Great post – and something we mamas in the trenches need to hear from time to time – the simple encouragement that this job of intentional motherhood that we are called to is worth the effort, worth doing the hard things. I often say that parenthood is a journey best traveled on my knees – spending time each day in prayer entreating the Lord for wisdom and strength to do the hard things. He supplies daily – abundantly – and with so much joy and sweetness. I am blessed!
Everyday I seem to find more ways I think life is supposed to be easy. And this message keeps coming back to me: Life is hard! It’s meant to be! Life is getting through the hard times, not avoiding then. What a sweet experience you had on the plane that day. Thank you for sharing with us.
YES emphatically.
Anything worth doing is going to be difficult.
Motherhood is so very hard, and equally rewarding.
I am starting to see glimpses of it’s worth now when I look at my almost 16 year old, and the independence she is showing.
What a realization for your mother in law…thanks for sharing your story, loved it!
Thanks so much kristin….I am glad I overheard that conversation.
Absolutely love your perspective!
I so hope so! Today was a very difficult day in motherhood for me. It certainly is a very hard job and one worthy of amazing rewards. Honestly his message brings me hope in many aspects of my life. 😀
Thank you for this reminder. I really needed to hear it today. I have been working as a nurse for a little less than 3 months and some days it is so very hard. I didn’t become a nurse because I thought it would be easy – but some days are more difficult than I ever could’ve imagined.
I totally and whole heartedly agree!!