Tag Archives: Motherhood

Dueling Dualities-The 2nd Day of Christmas

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On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me the remedy for dealing with dualities (Zechariah 9:2-10).

Do you struggle in duality? I’m not necessarily talking about with being bipolar, though I know some of us have that struggle, but I mean the daily balance of walking in roles that are quite the opposite in their space or function: leader at work-servant at home; cheerful cheerleader-strict disciplinarian; husband’s lover-children’s mother. For me, these roles are sometimes like day and night, hot and cold, dead and alive, good and bad. Some days I flow with cheering the children on and fumble with disciplining them. Other days I serve my family well and forget about ministry meetings. And it’s hard to get turned on when I can’t turn off my mommy mode. Though I know these seemingly polar opposites can exist in the same space, can receive my proper attention, I falter when I fail to continually look to Jesus as my perfect example.

Throughout Zechariah, Jesus is seen in His seemingly opposite roles of servant and king and man and god. He was the humble king who before was pierced as a man then rose with all power in His hands because He is God (Zechariah 9:9-10, 12:10 and Hebrews 1:3). He navigated these roles by remembering who He served, why He served and what He needed to serve.

  • He served God the Father—“Jesus saith unto them, ‘My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work’” (John 4:34).
  • He served to reconcile man to God—Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly” (John 10:10). Read also 2 Corinthians 5:21.
  • He needed the word of God and prayer—“Jesus said unto him, ‘It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God’” (Matthew 4:7).

    • Yeah, we were created in God’s image and have been given the ability to operate in our dualities by remembering we serve God; that our actions help reconcile our families and others to God; and that we can serve by standing on God’s word and praying. God created our dualities and because He did and empowers us to operate in them, I know I don’t have to duel with navigating them but only look to Him for help.

    The Kids’ Break

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    They whined.
    They begged.
    They hollered and screamed.
    They threw fruit.
    They hit and wouldn’t share.
    They called to mom to referee though dad was there too.
    And the littlest one laughed at their antics.

    I shushed, made them ask and say please and thank you.
    I spoke and spanked and made them share
    And all became clear: Having no routine for a 2 and 7 year old doesn’t work unless you want MORE work.

    So, on my blogging break I learned a break for me can’t be a break for the kids, at least not in the same way. They need an organized schedule that includes plenty of energy-burning activities to keep them focused and calm, kind even, and keeps the mommy feeling like she’s still having some sort of break, even as a part-time referee.

    Copyright 2010 by Rhonda J. Smith

    Manhood to Mission Field

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    I struggle with being a mom, not with the fact that I am one, but with the reality of doing motherhood. Yes, I clean bottoms, feed bellies, entice minds with books, bible studies and verses. I run. I jump. I sing. I pray. Lord knows I pray. I have to. You, mothers, know what I’m talking about. But sometimes my motherhood rhythm is off and throws off my daily dance. Shoot, on some days I don’t even want to find the rhythm because then I’m forced to dance. I had a day like this on my blogging break in July. Now God can speak any time, I know this, but I think my not being focused on blogging helped me to hear God clearer, differently even from before, about why He gave me children. Continue reading →

    Snapshot Moment

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    My Three Sons

    I had a snapshot moment with my two youngest. They had a synchronized meltdown, crying in unison and both clamoring for mama’s love. After I changed the toddler’s training pants and then the baby’s diaper, I wiped the waterfalls from their faces and let them lay in bed with me. The baby nursed on my right while the toddler caressed my left. That was yesterday. Today was almost a snap back moment when all three wanted something from me: The firstborn wanted permission to play a game; the toddler wanted cereal; and the baby just wanted me. I was only gone for three hours, a needful leave to get my teeth cleaned and some groceries, something my husband usually does, but he was sick. And he was with them when I was gone for three hours, but not all the way with them because he was sick. I had a muffin this morning. I resisted overspending because I was hungry and looked forward to eating when I got home. But with three needy children demanding me upon arrival and a sick spent husband, food for me had to wait a little bit, and I almost said, “Oooo, dese kids,” but I remembered my poem with that line and decided to shut my mouth, suck up my plans and meditate on being a Carrier of Life.

    Copyright 2010 by Rhonda J. Smith

    Guiding Through Guideposts

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    I’ve got good news! My Facebook friends may already know, but I want my WordPress readers to know that I have been selected as a writer for the 2011 Guideposts devotional for new moms. Outside of newspapers and magazines (and one little indie that published one of my poems), this is my first time being published in a book. I will write about 20 short pieces about my first year as a mom to encourage new moms. The stories will be personal. They may be quirky. I hope they are revelatory. I pray they change the pace for a mom having a frustrating, clueless, hectic or simply a “hands up” day. To craft these stories will take some time to make my September 1 deadline so I’ll be taking a break from blogging for the month of July.

    I’ve been thinking for a month or so about taking a one-month break from blogging, and I thought July would be that month, but I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t yet gotten the Guideposts position, and I hadn’t told my husband of my possible intentions, but this morning he suggested that I “take off from blogging for a month, the month of July.” I knew then that my thinking was more than just thinking but it was God telling me to take a break.

    On Wednesday I’ll sign off for a month, but I’ll see you again in August.

    Copyright 2010 by Rhonda J. Smith