Reading the title of the book, Great Parents, Lousy Lovers by Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham (read my review) made me think of some other phrases. Can you relate to any of these…
* Great Mommy, Lousy Wife -or- Lousy Mommy, Great Wife
* Lousy Mommy, Great Housekeeper and Cook -or- Great Mommy, Lousy Housekeeper and Cook
* Great Mommy, Lousy Friend -or- Lousy Mommy, Great Friend
Why can’t it be – Great Mommy, Great Wife, Great Housekeeper and Cook, Great Friend?? Is this even possible??
I believe that all mommas face a constant battle to “keep it between the ditches.”
And as I think of my role in the family, no wonder I struggle. On one side I am housekeeper, gardener, nurse, accountant, secretary, trash man, mailman, judge, chef, and teacher. What did I forget? But yet, I am mommy to four precious children and wife to my best friend.
When I swing too far to left side, my kiddos believe they are number one. Also, they don’t learn to play and entertain themselves – build their imagination. But veering to far to the other side, I spend all of my time focused on “stuff” that doesn’t matter for eternity. And I am learning ever so quickly that my kiddos are growing up so terribly fast.
I wish I could say that I know where that middle ground is. But, I don’t.
The one thing that I have learned in these nine years of parenthood is that the road in the middle is wide. It is not a single line. There are days when I will curve to the right and other days that I will move the opposite direction. But the fact is that I am still on the road.
Will you join me in praying that the Holy Spirit will guide us to know when we are driving in the ditch? Because either ditch is not where I want to be.