“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. ”
(Proverbs 31:25)
A Day In the Life of Sherita
I am a mom chosen by God. I am glad I accepted the call to share my heart with three tiny human beings. I am grateful that God trusted me enough to give me this amazing opportunity to be a mother. I recognize that I am blessed and do not take this blessing lightly, because there are not only thousands of women who have struggled and are still struggling to conceive and to bring forth a child; there are also countless moms who have fought infertility, miscarriage or even the loss of (a) child(ren). Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
Two hours of sleep; four if I am lucky. I eat standing up and drink on the go. All three children are usually in the restroom with me. My privacy has exited through the door. I shower with the curtain open, making sure everyone is in plain view. I know you might be thinking that can’t be good for the kids. But Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
It’s 3:00am in the wee hours of the morning, and I am wide wake. Laying in the baby’s crib next to my bed, instead of Jade, is Josiah; he has made it his bed. On my left is Jade and to my right is James. Daddy is soundly sleeping with no worries, only sweet dreams. Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
From my eyes up to my forehead, I can feel the pressure and the pounding in my head. My eyes are heavy, the lids I can’t keep open. I rest my head back on the bed head, only to be awakened by small jolts to my head. I dare not complain, as into my arms Jade rests her head. The white noise usually soothing, is now driving me insane, but I dare not turn it off or a war will ensue. I need to use the restroom, but it can wait. No, it cannot! But what if I wake up the baby by moving too soon? What will happen? I’ll wait. I wait some more. I am still waiting. Is she soundly sleeping as yet? Now I can make my move. I slither slowly off the bed. I made it! She is still asleep. To the restroom I hasten. I make it just in time! Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
(Matthew 11:28-29)
Back to my room and into my bed. I rest my head on the pillow only for the alarm to go off. It felt like only fifteen minutes, but it’s time to get out of bed. Do I take a shower or have worship? Do I brush my teeth or hurry to get a cup of tea? Maybe I should get breakfast ready so that the children can be in school on time today. Oh no! I forgot that I need to finish the dishes and vacuum the floor before the baby gets up. Why is the floor so sticky? I forgot that the kitchen floor is still messy from the juice James poured on it yesterday. Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
Oh no! The baby is awake. Is that the boys talking in my room? They woke up the baby and it’s only 6 o’clock. Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
“Let me get breakfast ready,” I decide, only to be greeted with the words: “Mommy, I pooped.”
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” I retort.
“Oh no, Mommy, Jade pooped too.”
“Give me a minute. I will take care of her too,” I respond.
“Mommy, I am hungry. May I have a Tofu sandwich, please?”
“Just a minute baby. I will take care of that too, I exclaim.
“Sher, have you seen my shoes?” inquires my husband.
“They are upstairs in the closet in the same place where you left them yesterday,” I assure him.
“Oh! Thank you,” you are the best. “James?” I warn, “don’t touch your poop. That’s disgusting!”
“I am sorry mommy. I was only playing with you”. Ahhhhhhhh! Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
“Boys it’s time for school.” “I don’t like school,” can we go outside for a walk or play basketball for 15 minutes?”
“After you have completed your school work,” I explained.
“I don’t like going to school.”
“Josiah go sit down, I instruct. “Sit down.” It’s time for school.”
“Okay mommy, for 1 hour?” “Can we please finish in one hour?”
“Once you are done with your schoolwork, we can go outside.” Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
“It’s time to take a nap, I announce.
“Who?”
“All of you,” I inform.
“I don’t want to sleep.”
“I am not going to sleep.”
“Everyone, upstairs and into your rooms,” I command.
“Maybe everyone should sleep in my room,” I entreat the children.
“Can you tickle us for just two minutes?” they beg.
“On the bed please, and stop stalling,” I insist.
“Please Mommy. Can you tickle us for just two minutes?”
“Okay. Just two minutes,” I say.
“Come on, James. Mommy is going to tickle us!!!”
“Okay guys. It’s time for bed,” I advise.
“Mommy, I pooped.”
“Again? Let’s get you cleaned up,” I respond.
“Oh no, Mommy, Jade pooped too.”
“Give me a minute. I will clean her too,” I reassure.
“Mommy, may I use the potty please?” “Josiah, get on the bed and stop stalling,“ I scold.
“Mommy, please may I use the potty?”
“Hurry and come back, Josiah! Wash your hands and turn off the pipe, please. Please turn off the light! No talking, and please go to sleep.” Everyone is finally asleep. Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
(Chronicles 15:7 NLT)
I contemplate what I am going to make for dinner. I think I should sit down for a few minutes. Maybe I could watch something for even ten minutes. What is that sound? Is that Josiah coming down the stairs already? Are you kidding me? That was less than ten minutes. Is that also the baby that I hear? Yes! She is crying. Let me get her quickly before she wakes up James. Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
“Mommy, may I use your phone?”
How about you read a book because I don’t want you playing on my phone?” I ask.
“I want the phone.”
“You have two choices,” “you either read your book or do some Maths, but you are not playing on my phone.”
“Okayyyyy, Mommy.”
“Thank you for understanding,” with a sly smile on my face! Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before. The sacrifice is great.
“Is everyone done eating”?
“Yes mommy.” Replied Josiah and James.
“Give me a few minutes to clean up the tables and floor and then we will have worship.”
“Mommy, daddy is home!” “Great!” I reply.
“Hey, babes,” how was your day? “ I ask.
“Okay,” he replied. Hey my boonunus, I missed you guys today.”
“Your dinner is ready.“I am going upstairs to give Jade a bath.” Motherhood is like nothing you have experienced before.
“It’s time for worship.” Boy, I said it’s time for worship.”
“Okay mommy” they say.
I am going to put Jade to bed, love you guys. Good night.
Whether you’re a mom right in the middle of raising your children, babies, or whether you find yourself in a different place but where little ones are concerned, this is for all of us. You are not alone in your Motherhood journey. We have twenty four hours in a day; let us make the best use of our time and leave the rest for tomorrow. Be encouraged; they grow up fast and before long they will be off to college and getting married…..love them……
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
(Isaiah 40:11)
