Hiatus, rainchecks and Plan Bs
It has been a long while since I have written up a blog post. I thought I had this blog thing all figured out. I had a spreadsheet going for content ideas, I chose days where I would dedicate naptime to writing and I created images on other days. I had a system. I had a system and it was working. Until… it wasn’t.
Without warning, my child switched up the schedule and would no longer nap in such a way that I could continue to write and create images for this blog. And then illness struck, and as a result of that, family drama ensued. Once that died down, our own plans needed more of my time and energy. Suddenly, my well-oiled machine had come to a screeching halt with no sign of starting up again anytime soon.
I’m sure many of you have had plans that were interrupted by motherhood. And I’m sure motherhood continues to upend your life, in big and small ways. We have all been there. Whether it means having to put things on hold, cancel something (or some things), or shift gears or even change tack completely with little to no notice, we see it all too often as mothers.
The Byrds (and the Bible)
Throughout all the disruptions that have arisen, I hear a folky refrain in my mind…
To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a reason, turn, turn, turn…
This catchy song by The Byrds has lyrics heavily based on a passage in the Bible. In it, we hear that there is a time for everything. This season, just like each season that came before and every single season yet to come, needs what it needs, and then it will pass.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
(Eccles 3:1-8)
So today, my reflection on parenting is a word of encouragement for anyone who is going through one of these seasons of tumult and change. Our families often give us good reasons to change our plans. It happens – it can happen a lot! And that is so yawn-inducingly normal and perfectly okay.
Sometimes you might have to put things on hold to focus on what is most important or most pressing (personally, I put this blog on hold to focus on the needs of my family). Sometimes you may need to ask for help. And sometimes you will need to rest.
Remember, this will pass, and a new season will take its place. You will get through this. Breathe. Rinse and repeat.
Friends, my blogging frequency is going to be a lot lower for a time and probably even quite erratic. How long that will be the case remains to be seen. But I do know that this is a season. I know things will change again. And I know I will keep writing, despite what changes might come (and I also have some older drafts to polish and post at some point, but that’s a blog post for another day).
What’s the most recent or most memorable story you have of suddenly changing your plans? How did you manage it? What are your tips (practical and/or spiritual) for managing the changing seasons of life?
Until next time, let’s pray for each other. And remember, we can do Mom things through Christ who strengthens us!
Mom Things Through Christ 