Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Rest (06/14/04)
TITLE: Tale of a New Mom By Cheryl Johnson 06/21/04 |
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
“I can’t do this!” she yelled in frustration. How did the other moms do it? What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she handle a 4-month old baby? Cindy had begged her husband to let her quit her sales job so that she could be a stay-at-home mom. She had felt it was important for little Erica to have a full-time mother instead of one who was always on the road.
Cindy had imagined a serene existence – a cooing happy baby lying in the bassinet while she tidied the house or relaxed over lunch. She hadn’t bargained for this chaos. She hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in weeks, as evidenced by those telltale dark circles. Her days were a swirl of feedings and diaper changes. If she wasn’t cleaning up spit up, she was trying to put a dent in the mountain of laundry. Most days she didn’t even have time to shower, much less throw on some makeup to try to cover her tired-looking complexion.
She had nothing to show for her long harrowing days. The worst part was she wasn’t even sure she was a good mother. She felt guilty for getting mad at an innocent baby, but she was just so tired. And now this.
Dan had just called from work and scolded her for not getting to the grocery store.
“I can’t do this!” she yelled again.
Come unto me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest…
“Rest? Rest? I don’t have time for basic hygiene!” she yelled into the air.
Come unto me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest…
“But, God, you don’t understand! I don’t have time! I’m going under! I’m so tired!”
Come unto me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest…
Cindy spotted her Bible on the bookshelf. She wiped her eyes and reached up for it, dusting it off gently.
“Okay then, God, you’ve got my attention,” she said softly as she sat down and began reading.