Community

Yesterday I ran some errands with Lennon. It started out good and slowly fell apart along the way. We've spent the past week isolated at the house because of a virus and he's still not feeling 100%. I missed the last MOPS gathering and meeting because of this.

So here we are after about 45 minutes of constant whining and me saying "it's ok honey, we will be done soon." We are in the car at the incredibly long stop light at the Covington Wal-Mart. Lennon begins to lose it, screaming and whining "I want out." The first two times I calmly said "Not now." Then I lost it. I yelled at him to stop whining and turned up the radio so I wouldn't hear it.  He's sobbing and sputtering. I am a mix of anger and guilt.  I have come unglued.  I'm fighting back the tears. I don't want to be this Mom. None of us do. I could go to my husband with these tales of frustration and he will nod and say something that will either make me want to beat him or ask what he can do to help.

The answer is he can't help. No matter how much of an amazing husband and helper God has given me, he cannot help me now. YOU can. Moms who know exactly what it's like to be at that stop light (check out line, movie theater, restaurant....you get the idea) and lose it. You know what it's like. Only you do. 

We are a community of the gold fish years. You know that you must have the red sippy cup not the blue one for breakfast. How we have to take that bunny to preschool, not the elephant and etc.  Dad's just don't get it, they can't.  This is what makes our group so important. We need each other.  I'm not being melodramatic here. It's true. I have made some very important friendships in MOPS. I've also strengthened my faith in God. 

Tomorrow I'm meeting my girls for breakfast. All MOPS friends I've made through the years. Here is where I will tell them of my falling short of being the mom I want to be. Here is where instead of a trite, but well meaning "I know honey I live here too." I will here a sincere "Oh I know!" Because they do know the power of goldfish and how important that stuffed bunny is. They know how easy it is to fall apart. They are where I find reassurance and strength. My community.

God talks about the importance of community. He encourages it and tells of how we need it.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says

⁹ Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.

 

We will work together and share our struggles and our wins. We will grow through our relationships with one another. We will pick one another up when we fall. We will love as if our lives depend on it!

 

I'm encouraging you this week to reach out to members of your small group and create friendships. We are all in this together and so very blessed to be here in this season.