I Want To Be A Eunice

I meant to write this at the beginning of the year, but you know, #7kids. Better late then never! So, here goes…

I’m not big one New Year’s Resolutions. I mean, I really don’t need one more thing to remind me that I’m failing on a daily basis. A friend asked me a while back if I was competitive, while the answer is a resounding YES, I started to think, while I am competitve, I’m more competitive against myself. For example, if someone were to say, “you can’t do that!!” Come hell or high water I’d try my hardest to prove them wrong…could explain the fact I have 7 kids. While this can be helpful at getting all the things done in a day, it can also be crushing. It can be crushing because their are many a day where I lie in bed at night and wonder, “did I actually accomplish anything today?” Between the wiping butts and noses, laundry, cooking, cleaning, driving all over kingdom come, and educating tiny humans, did I do anything of substance? Did I make a difference in anyone’s life today? Did I do anything of value? If I look at the behavior of my children I should prob throw in the towel now…..I’m fairly convinced my three year old is demon possesed. She has been next. Level. I think this is the curse of motherhood (or maybe just being human), guaging your success by what is right in front of you….in my case, this is not helpful!!

This year our church is going through the book of 2 Timothy. I grew up in the church. I’ve read 2 Timothy many times, but something struck me a few weeks ago in the sermon. Our pastor talked about Timothy’s upbringing. You know, the man that the Apostle Paul said he loved “as a son,” the man who helped to grow the Kingdom exponentially, a mighty, significant world changer. What shocked me was that it is clear in 2 Timothy that Timothy was brought up by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois. This is what Paul says of these women. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” 2 Tim 1:5. For whatever reason, he was fatherless. Back then, that would have made him a marked man, of no use in society, but these women had such faith, a faith that was so strong Paul attributes Timothy’s ability to serve next to him as a result of this faith. In the eyes of the world he lived in he should have been a useless human, and yet look at what God did with him, because of his mother and grandmother.

This was a sweet, gentle reminder at the beginning of the year. Often a time for a restart or refresh. My work is of value. I am making a difference each day, with each load of laundry, with each meal I make, with each interaction with my children. I am a world changer because of the little worldchangers I am raising. On the days when I feel like I accomplished nothing, I will remember that I have accomplished much because I am right where God wants me, for now, in my home, with my little people. And while I fail every day, I know (and pray) that God is working through me to raise my babies to be a Timothy because I was like a Eunice. So take heart mamas (or anyone) rest where God has you, find joy in the mundane and have faith.